RAF service numbers
 

Just found a metal dog tag for an RAF serviceman - his/her number is J8204***. Internet not being very helpful in indicating year of enlistment/ place or trade. No serious reason, just curious as my tags were red circular and green octagonal, neither being metal; and not showing blood group unlike this metal one.
Any info appreciated - I must have too much time on my hands, many thanks

Number appears to be a recent one (circa 1980s/1990s)? Metal dog tags were IIRC a recent -ish dvelopment, circular is shape.

The service number sounds familiar. Technician Apprentice or Fitter maybe?

I joined in 1978 with a "81" number. My guess would be early eighties for a "82" number.

Doesn't always go like that.
My brother joined in '61 and his number was 7 digits beginning '19' whereas when I joined a few years later my number was 6 digits beginnining '21'.

For what it's worth I joined as an apprentice airframe fitter in 69, my no. was P8010***.

One presumes that you will be handing them in "at any service establishment or police station"?

(Myself, similar chronology/numerology to Rebus btw, 8018***)

For DD, will do and let you know the degree of interest (or more likely, the lack of) shown.
Thanks for your responses guys.

I think that would not be a regular service number, more probably reservist or officer cadet.

I'd disagree: I'm sure that some of my fellow Halton Brats from later entries had similar numbers.

*822*** start of 85, so probably a year or two before me. I orginally had the red / green ones, but they got replaced by the round metal ones later, so if your 'man' stayed in a few years they would have got them too

Mine begins 802 and I joined in 81.

I have it on firm authority that Service Number *800**** was part of an early 1971 allocation block. (Prefix asterisk = an alpha.)

800 numbers were used well before 71...at least at Halton. I think they varied slightly at Locking / Cosford / Hereford.

The prefix of a letter caused a great deal of confusion with the Army, or rather an Army M.O who was more concerned as to why my number included a letter than my condition....the Germans however, had no such concerns and prescribed medication... that worked.

I joined as a direct entrant officer cadet in 1976. Trained at Henlow. My service number began J802****.

On graduation as an officer the prefix J was retained, but moved to the end of the number.

1977 Halton Brat, my number started D8020***, if that helps, or adds to the confusion?

Yes, me to. 216 entry September `69 with T8010...

Mine begins 802 and I joined in 76

Officer cadet at Henlow in 1974, No prefix, 7 digits beginning 802 with the suffix T. 802xxxxT

Remained unchanged until I left in 1999.

Hope this may help? My service number was : C8204@@@. Techie not appo, Joined Jan 1981. Had the original cardboard dogtags and later got the round metal ones with the neck chain, not sure when? maybe circa late 90's

I enlisted in 1971 and my number was A809xxxx. When I was commissioned my number changed to 809xxxxA. Never had dog tags.