Author Topic: How did they count the days?  (Read 3215 times)

Offline SmallTownGirl

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How did they count the days?
« on: Saturday 23 September 17 14:52 BST (UK) »
General question about ages on Attestation Papers:

I see things like "18 years 214 days".

Did the Attesting Officers have some sort of table to calculate the days, or did they have to count it out on a calendar each time.  On reflection, wouldn't it have been simpler to record the recruit's date of birth, or just age last birthday? 

Just thinking out loud really  ;D

STG

Always looking for GOODWINS in Berkshire :)

Offline KGarrad

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Re: How did they count the days?
« Reply #1 on: Saturday 23 September 17 15:28 BST (UK) »
Many diaries show day of the year and days to go.

I have a pocket diary for 2017.
Today shows (267-98); meaning today is day 267 in 2017, and there are 98 days left in the year.
Garrad (Suffolk, Essex, Somerset), Crocker (Somerset), Vanstone (Devon, Jersey), Sims (Wiltshire), Bridger (Kent)

Offline SmallTownGirl

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Re: How did they count the days?
« Reply #2 on: Saturday 23 September 17 15:43 BST (UK) »
Many diaries show day of the year and days to go.

I have a pocket diary for 2017.
Today shows (267-98); meaning today is day 267 in 2017, and there are 98 days left in the year.

It just seems such a faff  ;D  I'm all for a simple life, me - especially where maths is concerned  ;D  ;D

STG
Always looking for GOODWINS in Berkshire :)

Offline KGarrad

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Re: How did they count the days?
« Reply #3 on: Saturday 23 September 17 16:20 BST (UK) »
Simple lookups and arithmetic?! ;D

No of days left in the year at the last birthday; PLUS the number of the day in the current year; = the number of days.
Years as stated by the attestee!

E.G. my birthday is 22nd June - so day no 173.
If I were to attest today - day 266 this year.
266 - 173 = 93 days.

If my birthday were, for example, 1st November, then 1st Nov 2016 was 60 days from the end of the year.
266 + 60 = 326 days.

I just used last year's diary and this year's.
Garrad (Suffolk, Essex, Somerset), Crocker (Somerset), Vanstone (Devon, Jersey), Sims (Wiltshire), Bridger (Kent)


Offline SmallTownGirl

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Re: How did they count the days?
« Reply #4 on: Saturday 23 September 17 16:47 BST (UK) »
Simple lookups and arithmetic?! ;D

No of days left in the year at the last birthday; PLUS the number of the day in the current year; = the number of days.
Years as stated by the attestee!

E.G. my birthday is 22nd June - so day no 173.
If I were to attest today - day 266 this year.
266 - 173 = 93 days.

If my birthday were, for example, 1st November, then 1st Nov 2016 was 60 days from the end of the year.
266 + 60 = 326 days.

I just used last year's diary and this year's.

You've made my head hurt  ???   ;D

Always looking for GOODWINS in Berkshire :)

Offline Maiden Stone

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Re: How did they count the days?
« Reply #5 on: Saturday 23 September 17 19:04 BST (UK) »
They were good at mental arithmetic back then. It was a necessary skill for some jobs pre calculators, adding machines and electronic tills. The calendar sum would have been an easy one, being just addition or subtraction,  compared to how many pounds, shillings, pence and farthings a quantity of something measured in pounds and ounces or yards, feet and inches or gills, pints, quarts and gallons cost.
Cowban

Offline KGarrad

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Re: How did they count the days?
« Reply #6 on: Saturday 23 September 17 20:27 BST (UK) »
Mental Arithmetic was a separate subject at primary school, in my day!
And don't forget learning the Times Tables! ;D
Garrad (Suffolk, Essex, Somerset), Crocker (Somerset), Vanstone (Devon, Jersey), Sims (Wiltshire), Bridger (Kent)

Offline [Ray]

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Re: How did they count the days?
« Reply #7 on: Saturday 23 September 17 21:12 BST (UK) »
Blimey!

Back "in the day" (before & during mine) . . . . .

Most children ( adults )
a) could not read/write/spell
b) speak anything other than the local dialect/vocab
c) certainly could not " add up " ( let alone subtract / multiply / divide ) MENTAL arithmetic?

NOW, "We" cannot spell or know/understand  grammar [ there/their with/of
 . . . . should/would/must have/of ( = must of !!!!) ]
Even an old school friend spells the name of his school as "Harrow Grammer"
AND we were 1/2 mile UP the road.  ::)

Switch OFF the US Word Dictionary !
"Canceled" ? ? ? ? ?

R
"The wise man knows how little he knows, the foolish man does not". My Grandfather & Father.

"You can’t give kindness away.  It keeps coming back". Mark Twain (?).

Offline [Ray]

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Re: How did they count the days?
« Reply #8 on: Saturday 23 September 17 21:15 BST (UK) »

Oh yes!

"The Times Table" was the hall table upon which "James" left the our family copy of the daily newspaper.

 ;D
"The wise man knows how little he knows, the foolish man does not". My Grandfather & Father.

"You can’t give kindness away.  It keeps coming back". Mark Twain (?).