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Catalogue description Registry of Shipping and Seamen: War of 1939-1945; Combined Office Merchant Navy Operations, Seamen's Pouches
| Reference: | BT 391 |
|---|---|
| Title: | Registry of Shipping and Seamen: War of 1939-1945; Combined Office Merchant Navy Operations, Seamen's Pouches |
| Description: |
These records detail the sea service record of merchant seamen engaged in the liberation of Europe (6 June 1944 to 8 May 1945). They give the seaman's name, discharge 'A' number, rank or rating and qualifications together with details of the ships on which they served. The catalogue entry for each seaman's pouch within BT 391 includes: surname or patronym, forename(s) or initials, discharge 'A' number with prefix code where appropriate, date of birth and sometimes place of birth. The place of birth information, (where it exists), is as it was endorsed but place names have not been verified. A discharge 'A' book and the related registered discharge 'A' number are issued to a seaman on joining the service. During their service seamen carried their discharge books from ship to ship as proof of their character and as a guide to employers as to their experience and rating. The registered number has a regularised format that normally includes a prefix letter, referring to the nationality of the seaman. The seaman retains this number throughout his or her service even when the discharge 'A' book is lost or destroyed. In common parlance the book is referred to as the discharge book or papers. The prefix letters used are as follows:
The file reference of COMNO stands for Combined Office Merchant Navy Operations. In some cases, there are two pouches relating to the same seaman. Some pouches are empty but include details of service on the reverse. |
| Note: | Catalogue entries for this series have been enhanced as part of a project financed by The Friends of The National Archives. |
| Date: | 1944-1945 |
| Arrangement: |
The pouches that form this series are arranged by surname. |
| Held by: | The National Archives, Kew |
| Former reference in its original department: | COMNO pouches |
| Legal status: | Public Record(s) |
| Language: | English |
| Creator: |
Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen, 1872-1992 |
| Physical description: | 120 bundle(s) |
| Access conditions: | Open unless otherwise stated |
| Immediate source of acquisition: |
in 2003 Registry of Shipping and Seamen |
| Custodial history: | These records have only been held at the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen. |
| Accumulation dates: | 1944-1945 |
| Selection and destruction information: | These records have been selected on the basis that they reflect the social, economic and demographic condition of the UK, as documented by the state's dealings with individuals, communities and organisations outside its own formal boundaries (2.2.2.1 of PRO's acquisition policy). |
| Accruals: | No further accruals expected |
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