Discharge Book numbering from WW 2 to 1972 for British seamen

[Brian dinnage]

Mine was R678578 ISSUED in 1956

[Allan Davidson]

Mine is R643825 issued in January 1956 - Allan Davidson

[Mike Howard]

Mine was R790393,issued Aug 1963

[George Adams]

This is accurate in my case - 1955 - R623763.

[Roger Dandy]

If it helps my Discharge Book was issued at Newcastle-on -Tyne 20 August 1958 R 697710

[Peter Gill]

I've done some research on Discharge Books and Discharge A numbers from WW2 to 1972 to try and get an idea of the turnover of British seamen over the period.
Typical numbers issued for various years are

1940 R 217400
1943 R 230000
1945 R 310000
1956 R 658000
1965 R 816000
1972 ??? Was R prefix still used at this time.

I would be grateful for feedback on whether these numbers look reasonable and also for some information on the numbers issued around 1972.
thanks
David Snook

Mine was R865950 issued mid 1968. Odd but Interesting topic.
Peter Gill

[Wayne Whitlock]

Thanks to everyone who's contributed so far.

Stuart Henderson's point about not seeing R 4????? numbers seems to be backed up by Colin Hawken (R 510709) and Fred Lacey(R 525985)both from 1949 which were issued 2 years after R 396040. Any R 4????? numbers out there?

Mick O'Brien's number UK 018117 from 1974 tallies with Doc Vernon's thought that the change from the R prefix to the UK prefix took place in 1972.
Is there anyone with a number issued in the 1968-72 period ?

thanks again for the help
David Snook

mine was issued 30/06/1972 R911747

[Roger Hughes]

Just checked mine . R900850 issued 29th November 1971 Dock Street E1 . "New style" book issued with same number 26th March 1973 Dock Street .

[Ken Atkinson]

My DB R-878732 was issued 7 July 1969 on the Tyne and replaced by a new style book with the same number 3 April 1973 leaving my conduct & ability open to speculation. A red seaman's card was issued 26 April 1978 which I was able to use instead of a passport to return to UK on one occasion.

[James Atkins]

I’m not sure if it helps but I joined in Sept 1970 & my No. was R885849