Boy Entrants 39th to 49th Entries
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Join Date: Feb 2016
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It has been investigated and there is no direct relationship between Service numbers and Entry numbers.
Other than, over the years they both incremented!
The alpha character that was added to service numbers in 1965, was indeed because of the introduction of computers. The alpha character was a 'check character'.
If a service number was incorrectly entered into a computer, it would produce a different check character. When compared to the original check character it would indicate an error.
The system was not 100% fool proof, but pretty close.
The extra digit may well have been added to former apps numbers to create a constant field length. It makes sense.
I was demobbed Feb 65 so never had the alpha character added, but I did then enter the world of computers and quickly learn't what a check digit was.
By the way, most check digits are numeric, as in you bank account number. In civil life I never came across a check system that used alpha characters.
As for guys called Bond getting the last 3 of 007, there appears to have been several cases of clerks making the unsuspecting guy wait until the stamp getting to 006 and saying, 'Right its your turn now!'
Other than, over the years they both incremented!
The alpha character that was added to service numbers in 1965, was indeed because of the introduction of computers. The alpha character was a 'check character'.
If a service number was incorrectly entered into a computer, it would produce a different check character. When compared to the original check character it would indicate an error.
The system was not 100% fool proof, but pretty close.
The extra digit may well have been added to former apps numbers to create a constant field length. It makes sense.
I was demobbed Feb 65 so never had the alpha character added, but I did then enter the world of computers and quickly learn't what a check digit was.
By the way, most check digits are numeric, as in you bank account number. In civil life I never came across a check system that used alpha characters.
As for guys called Bond getting the last 3 of 007, there appears to have been several cases of clerks making the unsuspecting guy wait until the stamp getting to 006 and saying, 'Right its your turn now!'
A lot has been explained on both counts.
It makes sense as I recall I was in Singapore when I received my"letter" and that was in '65. I still have the punched card with it on.
So we can't blame it on the Bossa Nova - it was computers all the time!!
Regards, Don.
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Son of deceased 46th boy entry cosford
Hello people, my father Mac brown was a 46th entry at cosford in air wireless, he sadly passed away in 2015, i am eager to find people who knew him especially out in Singapore and Malaysia to understand my fathers story?
Aaron O'dickydido
The listing of 1960 service numbers jars rather with the fact that as a Craft Apprentice in the 202nd Entry RAF Halton Jan 65 my service number was initially 1960323 on joining Jan 5th '65, shortly after amended to have the letter " O " added as a prefix, shortly amended to have the letter "P " as a prefix as I presume the " O " could be mistaken for a zero.
I believe that the 201st entry started with 1960001 as without any fiddling or sleight of hand Apprentice Bond J of the 201st had the service number 1660007 to plague him for what I gather was a fairly short service career and who can blame him!
I believe that the 201st entry started with 1960001 as without any fiddling or sleight of hand Apprentice Bond J of the 201st had the service number 1660007 to plague him for what I gather was a fairly short service career and who can blame him!
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Prefix Letters
I remember the whole entry being assembled in a large room in St Athan and issued with our prefix letters. I can't remember if it was done alphabetically.
I do know that I became S1949693 (Airframes, 50th Entry, St Athan)
I do know that I became S1949693 (Airframes, 50th Entry, St Athan)
I just know you will be transfixed and amazed as to how they got the last checksum letter on your service number, someone posted this a while back, sorry can`t remember who. Works on BE service numbers, not sure of others.
Multiply the first digit by 8
second by 17
third by 4
forth by 16
fifth by 2
sixth by 13
seventh by 5
Add these up to produce answer A
Divide A by 23
Chop all the decimal places then multiply by 23. The result is answer B.
Subtract B from A to produce answer C which is a letter of the alphabet where Zero = A, 1 = B, 2 = C etc. But omit "O" and "I" to avoid confusion with "0" and "1".
A slight change to the algorithm fixes it. Multiply the last digit by 1 (not 5), discard "I" and "O" in the alphabet and start at zero when counting through.
I was 48th entry St Athan, and it gives me the correct check letter. 1948...N
Multiply the first digit by 8
second by 17
third by 4
forth by 16
fifth by 2
sixth by 13
seventh by 5
Add these up to produce answer A
Divide A by 23
Chop all the decimal places then multiply by 23. The result is answer B.
Subtract B from A to produce answer C which is a letter of the alphabet where Zero = A, 1 = B, 2 = C etc. But omit "O" and "I" to avoid confusion with "0" and "1".
A slight change to the algorithm fixes it. Multiply the last digit by 1 (not 5), discard "I" and "O" in the alphabet and start at zero when counting through.
I was 48th entry St Athan, and it gives me the correct check letter. 1948...N
I just know you will be transfixed and amazed as to how they got the last checksum letter on your service number, someone posted this a while back, sorry can`t remember who. Works on BE service numbers, not sure of others.
Multiply the first digit by 8
second by 17
third by 4
forth by 16
fifth by 2
sixth by 13
seventh by 5
Add these up to produce answer A
Divide A by 23
Chop all the decimal places then multiply by 23. The result is answer B.
Subtract B from A to produce answer C which is a letter of the alphabet where Zero = A, 1 = B, 2 = C etc. But omit "O" and "I" to avoid confusion with "0" and "1".
A slight change to the algorithm fixes it. Multiply the last digit by 1 (not 5), discard "I" and "O" in the alphabet and start at zero when counting through.
I was 48th entry St Athan, and it gives me the correct check letter. 1948...N
Multiply the first digit by 8
second by 17
third by 4
forth by 16
fifth by 2
sixth by 13
seventh by 5
Add these up to produce answer A
Divide A by 23
Chop all the decimal places then multiply by 23. The result is answer B.
Subtract B from A to produce answer C which is a letter of the alphabet where Zero = A, 1 = B, 2 = C etc. But omit "O" and "I" to avoid confusion with "0" and "1".
A slight change to the algorithm fixes it. Multiply the last digit by 1 (not 5), discard "I" and "O" in the alphabet and start at zero when counting through.
I was 48th entry St Athan, and it gives me the correct check letter. 1948...N
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45th Entry, 1946003, St. Athan, Airframe Mechanic (or was it "Fitter", I can never remember). I became A1946003 shortly after arriving at my first posting, RAF Leeming. I'm still in touch with one guy I met at Saints, in fact my wife and I spent a few days with him and his wife at their home in Scotland just last week. How many other former Boys out there have kept in touch with people they met at ITS.
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Boy entrant commemorative medal.
I have been asked by a company who mounts medals if I can source details of the ribbon used in a comemorative medal purchased by former Boy entrants. Apparently it was crimson coloured or very similar.
This is not a medal that will be worn alongside issued medals but is to be inserted into a wooden frame and wall mounted.
Any help or pictures would be much appreciated.
This is not a medal that will be worn alongside issued medals but is to be inserted into a wooden frame and wall mounted.
Any help or pictures would be much appreciated.
Join Date: Sep 2020
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If you are an ex-boy entrant in the above entry band I would love to hear from you, where you trained, what trade you followed and what Flt., Sqn. and Wing you were in.
I am trying to compile who we all were back then in the 1960s.
Best regards,
Don, ex 43rd Entry, D Flight, 2 Sqn. 1 Wing, RAF St Athan.
4259.
I am trying to compile who we all were back then in the 1960s.
Best regards,
Don, ex 43rd Entry, D Flight, 2 Sqn. 1 Wing, RAF St Athan.
4259.
He then was at Benson. His name Ian Allison aka Ally. Would love to hear from anyone who has any stories about him.
