Discharge Book numbering from WW 2 to 1972 for British seamen

[Richard Leslie Olding]

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

I started in 1964 and my discharge book number was R807843. I would be grateful for any info on it please.

[Doc Vernon]

Cannot find that Number at present, however if you were still at Sae after 1972 then that would explain it, as no records kept afer that time. R807843

Cheers

[Peter Gibson]

Mine was R873868 issued at Tilbury 1969

[Paul Elmont]

Hey David, my number is R 891020 issued in May 1970

Paul

[Rob Cumbes]

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 discharge book was issued in Feb 1969. R860757
Cheers
Rob

[john walker]

The R prefix books were still isued in 72 but the majority of books in 72 appear to have the prefix UK. Everybody was eventually issued a new book but kept their old numbers. The Merchant Shipping Acts were changed and it became illegal to issue a discharge for ability or conduct. I have in my first book 2 discharges in 72 where the name of the ship etc, is entered and the columns for ability and conduct were left blank. My second book was issued by the Merchant Marine Office Dock Street (London) The only difference between the two is that in the second book there are no columns for ability or conduct. The Uk prefix books star with UK0*****.My first book was R862016 and was issued by the Merchant Marine Office Dover 12/06/72 and my last discharge in it was 03/01/73 My new book states it was issued free on the 05/10/72 how that came to be I have no idea as I was sailing around the baltic. Have others been issued with a new book when not even in the country??

[michael hooper]

my discharge book no.R614684 was issued on the 17th september 1954

[Ronald Waters]

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

For your Info David my discharge book number was R840491 issued 26 Aug 1996
Served on Balranald and Orcades from 1996 until 1971

Ron Waters

[j.sabourn]

Are you sure,? your1996 book can. Only be a re-issue at such a late date. The R prefix was abandoned a long time ago.The prefix UK took its place . JS
Just noticed you may have your dates around A obout T.
My 3 book was re-issued in 1985 the seamans discharge book retained the original number through his sea going life. My First book R 575129 was issued In 1952 or 3 and still had the same number in 2002 when officially retired . JS
Sometimes I think that is why some are loathe to display on site. As may be able to check on their authencity of wherher who they really are , apart from fom the bad manners on not displaying in the first instance, Should be something to be proud of not ashamed.
JS.........

[j.sabourn]

Think I have put on here before somewhere. Every person at one time who was signed on the ships agreement had to have a record of his signing on and signing off, as all seamen will know if they are seamen that is. The only person by law who did not have to have was the ships master. His proof of being there was on the ships registration document .
When the BOT/ DOT/ MOT/ DTI / and today HM Coastguard in their infinite wisdom brought in that certification of mariners was reliant on having to be able to prove at least 2 years actual seatime in every 5 years , then I for one and suppose others may have done the same gave myself the same discharge as all seamen got as ready proof to the Deot. Whichever one it was that I had and was no need to to do a fortnight’s course of re- validation of certificate called an update of knowledge. with the huge number of vessels I was on I had to go back to number 1 book to utilise also. This was only for personal uses to aid my memory. So my 3 books are really crammed and are apart from some of the paper dischages I gave myself. I must admit however as regards book number 1 , the temptation was always to do away with the VG and put in Excellent.. Cheers JS