Discharge Book numbering from WW 2 to 1972 for British seamen

[William Waterson]

My discharge book R59995 issued by HM customs office Stranraer 1973 When signing on ships sometimes I was told that my Dis num was incorrect by my age.
I had to explain the issuing office only supplied Dis Books on a rare occasion.
W Waterson

[j.sabourn]

William with a dis no. Like that you should be about the age of methusalem especially with 5 numbers . JS.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Preempted me John. Mine is R510868 six numbers from June 49. William may have missed a number out.
Des

[Kevin Barry]

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

Hi David. My number was R888838, issued 30th Oct 1970.

[Pam Fudge]

Hi David
I'm not sure whether this will be useful to you. I have my Dad Vivian Squibbs' three Discharge Booklets: Their numbering is as follows:
- R37118 dating from 11.7.1927 to 28.10.1927 when he was a cabin boy
- R148708 dating from 20.10.36 to 24.1.1962
- R148708 dating from 21.6.62 to 16.7.1969 when he retired - just in time to give me away at my wedding.
I would be interested to know the outcome of your research.
Pam

[Denis O'Shea]

My No. R708736 issued Liverpool 1959. Rgds Den

[j.sabourn]

#126 I find it hard to believe that R 888838 was issued in 1970.was it not re-issued in 1970 ? The UK
Discharge books as far as I can remember came out sometime in the 70s for new entrants. Discharge book numbers were like NHI numbers there for life. Where this system re numbers fails dramatically is the issue of the new Certs. Of competency where the old numbers have been replaced by cereal box serial number for those stupid enough to apply for a new certificate to keep up with the Jones “s of which I must admit to be one of the stupid ones, although I still retain the proper cert. it has been clipped like a used bus ticket. Wanton destruction by ill informed beaurocrats who wouldn’t know one end of a ship from the other.. JS

[j.sabourn]

Under false flags of sailing on forged documents.... In the 50s and 60s and probably still today it was always possible to get any printed document required be it novels or legal documents in the likes of Taiwan and also I believe Hong Kong. I myself know of one fisherman from North Shields who was a genuine fishing skipper ( fiull ) but one time showed me a master F.G going cert. Steamship in his name and to all intents and purposes looked genuine. However his age and seatime proved to me it was false. The number as well would not have passed a surveyor. However he carried it more for a joke and not to be used, however I have known others who did use until caught out. The same applies to Discharge books , there is always the possibility of them being fraudulent. JS
PS. Many seafarers used to buy copies of Nories Tables , and seamanship books , even Port Said yarns were available , the sky was the limit. They were experts at the trade of replication. That number on a legal document was about the only safeguard at that time. Today they may have built in electronic devises for all I know. JS

[happy daze john in oz]

John, Port Said a placed where you could buy just about anything and if they did not have it would get one for you.
Seen some quite amazing items for sale there, bought a few myself.

Still have a leather photo album and an electric razor that still works, 1964.

But maybe Hong Kong was the best, seen shirts made from shower curtains, nylon type, and then have to shower all the way back to UK with out any.
One guy had a pair of shoes made there, fantastic looking and so light on the feet.
But next port of call ashore got caught in the rain and came back b board in just his socks.
Best quality cardboard you could ever find.

[Richard Wilmot]

Hi, my Discharge Book No. R654537 July 1956.