RN Service Numbers

[Peter J]

Would anyone be able to supply information or recommend any literature regarding RN service numbers pre-1914?

I read recently in a message posted on this site that Ratings with J-prefix service numbers were 'Deck Division'. Would that apply to a Rating who was issued with his number just before WWI; and am I also correct in assuming that prefixes changed in September 1914?

The number to which I am specifically referring is: J26321. The Rating was at HMS Impregnable in 1913.

[per ardua per mare per terram]

The prefixes for Royal Navy service numbers had been introduced in 1907 and didn’t change until after 1929. Men and boys would only change their service number if they changed branches.

F for RNAS, after 1 July 1914.

J was the letter for Seaman this included Signallers and Telegraphic (wireless) ratings; they were not referred to as ‘deck division’. They were the general duties personnel, it could include gunnery or torpedo hands.

K = Stokers

L was used for domestics and stewards

M stood for miscellaneous

SS was a short service number (5 years at sea 7 in the reserves)

HMS

Impregnable was the Boy’s training ship where he’d get basic training before going to sea at 16 or 17 (that was less common).

[Peter J]

The prefixes for Royal Navy service numbers had been introduced in 1907 and didn’t change until after 1929. Men and boys would only change their service number if they changed branches.

F for RNAS, after 1 July 1914.

J was the letter for Seaman this included Signallers and Telegraphic (wireless) ratings; they were not referred to as ‘deck division’. They were the general duties personnel, it could include gunnery or torpedo hands.

K = Stokers

L was used for domestics and stewards

M stood for miscellaneous

SS was a short service number (5 years at sea 7 in the reserves)

HMS

Impregnable was the Boy’s training ship where he’d get basic training before going to sea at 16 or 17 (that was less common).

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Per ardua per mare per terram,

Quad erat demonstrandum. Thanks.

[per ardua per mare per terram]

Your welcome.

Before 1907, and for about 30 years previously the navy had had 6 digit service numbers.

[Peter J]

Your welcome.

Before 1907, and for about 30 years previously the navy had had 6 digit service numbers.

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Right; so would the numbers themselves have had any significance in the same way as the prefix letters or were they just purely for identification purposes?

[per ardua per mare per terram]

From 1st January 1894:

178001-240500 seamen and communications ratings

268001-273000 engine room artificers

276001-313000 stokers

340001-348000 artisans and miscellaneous

350001-352000 sick birth staff and ships police

353001-366450 officers stewards and cooks

Before that numbers had been issued sequentially, from 40,000 in 1873, before then only ratings who signed on for continuous service were given a number.

[Peter J]

From 1st January 1894:

178001-240500 seamen and communications ratings

268001-273000 engine room artificers

276001-313000 stokers

340001-348000 artisans and miscellaneous

350001-352000 sick birth staff and ships police

353001-366450 officers stewards and cooks

Before that numbers had been issued sequentially, from 40,000 in 1873, before then only ratings who signed on for continuous service were given a number.

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PAPMPT,

Experto crede. Thanks again.

PJ.