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What does the letter mean?......

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Ill keep this short and sweet!
Why does my old service number start with the letter Q?? Is there anything behind it!? I would of though it would of started with my initials or something along the lines of the trade your in?
Random question i know, but owell!
 
You win the prize for the most obscure question this week! :PDT_Xtremez_28:

I'm told the 'check digit' was introduced when we first put some of our pay and personnel details onto a computer system (sometime in the 70s I guess, possibly sooner). The idea was that if a computer input clerk got number blind the check digit would prevent them effecting the wrong person's record. So if your service number was 8234567 with the check digit Q, the person with the service number 8234576 would have a different check digit as would the person with the service number 8235467.

There was an exceedingly complicated formula applied to calculate the check digit (I can't recite it but I did see it written down once, a long time ago) so if your service number was Q8234567, the next service number would not necessarily be R8234568, although it very often was.
 
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Just a cycle. A1111111, B1111112 etc. There was a thread a while ago discussing the number sets set aside for specific trades/waafs but I can't be asred looking for it. :PDT_Xtremez_41:
 
Cooheed said:
Just a cycle. A1111111, B1111112 etc. There was a thread a while ago discussing the number sets set aside for specific trades/waafs but I can't be asred looking for it. :PDT_Xtremez_41:
Click to expand...
Whack Whack Ooops...incorrect...the number has nothing to do with gender or trade...

True Blue Jack said:
I'm told the 'check digit' was introduced when we first put some of our pay and personnel details onto a computer system (sometime in the 70s I guess, possibly sooner). The idea was that if a computer input clerk got number blind the check digit would prevent them effecting the wrong person's record.
Click to expand...

TBJ is totally correct...there was an Excel spreadsheet that did the rounds a short time ago to help the ManServs staff raise F6000s on Report Writer where the Subject had a new JPA number. I think I still have it somewhere...I'll fish it out.
:PDT_Xtremez_15:
 
M&M said:
Whack Whack Ooops...incorrect...the number has nothing to do with gender or trade...
Click to expand...

Not quite true, mate. When I joined, the blokes' numbers began 842 while the girls' were 824. Before that, YTS had numbers beginning 827. Even further back in history boy entrants had numbers beginning 428 while apprentices had 6 digit numbers (or that might have been the other way around).

The officer corps was even more complicated with 520xxxx (graduates), 262xxxx (university cadets), etc.

There was a very informative thread a while back which went into fine detail about exactly how service numbers were allocated.

Edit: LINKY
 
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All well before my time....thanks for the clarification TBJ...will search for that thread :PDT_Xtremez_17:
 
True Blue Jack said:
Not quite true, mate. When I joined, the blokes' numbers began 842 while the girls' were 824. Before that, YTS had numbers beginning 827. Even further back in history boy entrants had numbers beginning 428 while apprentices had 6 digit numbers (or that might have been the other way around).

The officer corps was even more complicated with 520xxxx (graduates), 262xxxx (university cadets), etc.

There was a very informative thread a while back which went into fine detail about exactly how service numbers were allocated.

Edit: LINKY
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, TBJ.
I've just realised that I know the original poster.

Small world, what?
 
Off Topic Had a beer with the old boy recently. Still on top form, and as always, he remains as sharp as a tack. I hope he gets a grand send-off (I believe CAS & CINCAir are attending).
 
am I a girl?

am I a girl?

TBJ
"Not quite true, mate. When I joined, the blokes' numbers began 842 while the girls' were 824."


My number is B824.... & last time I was alone in my sad little mess room, I was still a bloke!

Never got the extra money for tights all these years, reckon I can claim it back on JPA 23 years might get me a night out?
 
Mickwreay said:
My number is B824.... & last time I was alone in my sad little mess room, I was still a bloke!
Click to expand...


Yes, blokes had 824 numbers and then, when they changed to 840+ the girls got the rest of the 824 series.



tommo9999 said:
Off Topic Had a beer with the old boy recently. Still on top form, and as always, he remains as sharp as a tack. I hope he gets a grand send-off (I believe CAS & CINCAir are attending).
Click to expand...


It was June when I saw him last and he told me he was looking forward to slipping away quietly. I never thought that would be allowed to happen but if Kim-Jong Lod's going I think I'll give it a miss!!!
 
True Blue Jack said:
Very small. I owe that man my livelihood and a whole lot else besides. :PDT_Xtremez_19: He finally hangs up his uniform this month.
Click to expand...

I believe that he is staying at his current station, but in another role.
Good luck to him. He's a real gentleman. It's been my pleasure to know him.
 
True Blue Jack said:
Oh, look, now you're really testing me! 828 would have you joining up as a regular around about 1987, give or take a year.

Please, no more!!
Click to expand...

Yep i'm R828**** and I joined in Sep 86.

Well for security reasons I have edited you post

Hu Jardon
 
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True Blue Jack said:
You win the prize for the most obscure question this week! :PDT_Xtremez_28:

I'm told the 'check digit' was introduced when we first put some of our pay and personnel details onto a computer system (sometime in the 70s I guess, possibly sooner). The idea was that if a computer input clerk got number blind the check digit would prevent them effecting the wrong person's record. So if your service number was 8234567 with the check digit Q, the person with the service number 8234576 would have a different check digit as would the person with the service number 8235467.

There was an exceedingly complicated formula applied to calculate the check digit (I can't recite it but I did see it written down once, a long time ago) so if your service number was Q8234567, the next service number would not necessarily be R8234568, although it very often was.
Click to expand...


Sorry. the letter, whatever it is or does, was introduced in the mid 60s. Mine was a D .
 
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