The 'R' in front of Discharge book number

[Jeremy wilson]

Hi Brian great site.

I'm new to researching my grandfather. James Wilson R561641.

Could you tell me what the "r" stands for before the number. Is this his id number or is his b.s.i.c number how he was identified.
Any info is great and i can't wait to learn more. Thanks in advance.

Jeremy.

[j.sabourn]

If no one gives the right answer , which if they do a lot of us will be wiser ourselves, as I for. One was never inquisitive enough to find out , you. Can Just assume it stands for Register. Today for those who have the letters are UK which I assume are United Kingdom. Cheers JS.

[Chris Allman]

I was always led to believe that the letter R denoted that it was a British Seaman number as opposed to a foreign seaman's number or reference.

[Red Lead Ted]

I always took it to mean Registered Seaman. Hear is my wife's grandfathers book considering the first 55 discharges are missing its an oldy alright and I don't think but will check it had an R before his seaman's number. This guy was put ashore after signing on the Lusitania in 1915 at the age of 14. As a Fireman, Fate is that his father had also signed on they both had the initial P. Casey. The skipper noticed this and acted accordingly.

[Doc Vernon]

Jeremy
I had answered this in your First Post please see it here

http://www.merchant-navy.net/forum/w...6289-site.html

Thanks

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Jeremy.
My discharge book number is R510868 not too far of your Grandfathers, Have a look in the page following his picture and see if there is an entry for the National Sea Training School {GSS} which will indicate if he went to the Vindicatrix or Gravesend sea school and the date, if so from that you may be able to get more info. As for the R; I have looked in many places but there is no indication anywhere what it means, could be Registration, Record, Remarks, .
Cheers Des

[Doc Vernon]

Des
Quite a while ago this was raised and I recall getting Registration for R somewhere,i am sure it is that.
As Registration Numbers were started some long Years back as you know ,so I cannot see it being anything other?? But I do stand corrected if it is found again.
Cheers


This is from a post by Hugh sometime back so I don't know ??

Most seamen's discharge book numbers (Dis. A) are prefixed by letters indicating the nationality or origin of the seaman.

CAN = Canadian seaman
R = British seaman


And from Roy

Oh dear me: R stands for registered

[j.sabourn]

#6... what year did you come out to Australia Des. Didn’t co-incide with the term remittance men did it ? A remittance man being someone who was paid to keep out of the country. The country would be bankrupt in a week if had to do today. Just a joke as regards yourself, dead serious otherwise. Cheers JS

[Andrew McCulloch]

Hi Brian great site.

I'm new to researching my grandfather. James Wilson R561641.

Could you tell me what the "r" stands for before the number. Is this his id number or is his b.s.i.c number how he was identified.
Any info is great and i can't wait to learn more. Thanks in advance.

Jeremy.

I'm not sure if the R has any significance. I got my discharge book at the end of 1971 - R906xxx . My first voyage was Feb to Aug 1972. At the end of 1972 I think there was a change in the MS Act and we all had to get a new discharge book. The old ones had columns for conduct and ability; the new ones didn't do I guess the change was related to the ending of fines for indiscipline and the introduction of the first Code of Conduct. This also coincided with the change from R to UK discharge books.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Ted.
My Dad's discharge book from the first war [It is in pristine condition unlike mine} just has a number 934682, the R didn't come in until the 30s.
Vernon.
Both Hugh and I came to the same conclusion it appeared but for what reason is obscured.
Cheers Des