Breaking the codeCentral Record Card (CR10 card) and the Identity Book (RS2)All CR10 cards are reproduced by permission of Southampton Civic Archives The documents are for Christopher Herbert of Rush. The copy of the RS2 book was supplied by Christopher Herbert's nephew, Christy McGee of Rush. The Herberts and McGees were both seafaring families and Christy McGee's father also appears on a CR10 card. Reproduction of CR10 card (both sides)   Notes on CR10 form On personal detail side. • Nationality is British • Rating is AB = able seaman • No detail for next of kin On the photograph side • Five or Six digit number is ship official number which is unique to ship and will not change. • First entry is (1)06009 1.19 It means that he signed on ship no 106009 in January 1919 for a voyage outside Home Trade Waters. He changed ships several times during 1919 and 1920. Home Trade voyages cover the British Isles and European ports between Hamburg and Brest and are not detailed on the CR10 card. RS2 Identity BookReproduction of RS2 Identity book   Notes on RS2 booklet Stamped M M Office, Liverpool Canning Place ? Dec 1918 Personal details. Agree with CR10 card but more details It appears he has scratched out 'British' for Nationality and substituted 'Irish' This reflects the anti-British feeling of the time. Another indicator was the burning of the Coastguard stations at Rush and nearby towns on 18 June 1921. Height, colouring and tattoos are detailed Next of kin detailed faintly. Father is also Christopher. Ship service details are different to CR10 card. First, third and fourth voyage appear to be Home Trade because they do not appear on the CR10 card. The second voyage matches the CR10 card with a few more details including the ship name 'Thetis'. The photograph appears to have a particular format to show the identity number. The format depends on the photographer. I have called this one the 8-slot format, as there are eight slots but only six numbers. I suspect that this is a Liverpool based photographer |
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