Royal Naval Reserve Service Numbers around WW1

[CalumD]

I have been trying to get RNR Service Record for a cousin who served during WW1. Through Ancrestry web site I find him three times with different Service Numbers. All entries have the same date of birth and place of birth. Being a very small village in the Outer Hebrides he is the only possible person to have been born there at that time.
Ancestry web site re-directs me to the National Archives to view the Records. They have exactly the same details as Ancestry - three records for the same person and three different Service Numbers. To view the records (3) each must be paid for.
Can anyone tell me if it was usual for RNR sailors to have different Service Numbers during their time with the Navy.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Calum

[km1971]

Ancestry is free until midnight tomorrow (UK time)

Have you read this? - http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/royalnavalreserve.htm

There seems to have been a change in procedure in 1908. So he may have a pre-1908 and post 1908 record. Just a guess. You may have to bite the bullet and buy all three.

Ken

[HMac]

Hi Calum,

Yes, it was usual for RNR ratings to have different service numbers assigned for each fresh term of enrollment. A period of enrollment would be 5 years so if he has three service numbers he would have at least 15 years service in the RNR. The suffix after the number will be an indication whether it be the first, second or third enrollment.

Regards
Hugh

[CalumD]

Many thanks for your help. I will go ahead and order the records.

Calum D