Origins: Lean and unwashed tiffy 'Go RA' meaning?

Subject: Origins: Lean and unwashed tiffy 'Go RA' meaning?
From: GUEST,Dalillama
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 07:42 AM

In Cyril Tawney's "Lean and Unwashed Tiffy" the last verse is:
"I'm going back to Jago's Mansions
There to end my life on shore.
Join up with them barrack stanchions,
Go R.A. forevermore,
Go R.A—forevermore."
What is meant by "R.A." here?

Subject: RE: Origins: Lean and unwashed tiffy 'Go RA' meaning?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 07:55 AM

Run Ashore?

Subject: RE: Origins: Lean and unwashed tiffy 'Go RA' meaning?
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 08:44 AM

Rationed ashore = resident in the port. See Tawney's Grey Funnel Line.

Mick

Subject: RE: Origins: Lean and unwashed tiffy 'Go RA' meaning?
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 01:03 PM

Cyril told me it meant Remained Ashore, i.e. on the bench until needed.

Subject: RE: Origins: Lean and unwashed tiffy 'Go RA' meaning?
From: GUEST,Teribus
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 02:06 PM

When I was "in" the initials RA stood for "Ration Allowance" i.e. you were living off your "ship" (which could be a shore establishment) which meant that the Navy paid you a daily allowance in addition to your pay to feed yourself.

Those who normally lived off their ship were submariners when in port and the Royal Navy's Bomb and Mine Disposal Diving Teams who had the job of surveying wrecks whose cargoes are dangerous (USS Richard Montgomery in the Thames Estuary off Ramsgate is probably the best known example).

Subject: RE: Origins: Lean and unwashed tiffy 'Go RA' meaning?
From: GUEST,Dalillama
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 10:20 PM

Thanks, all