The Wilson's recorded version on Horumarye says it is the first recording of original version of the song ("written on board the 'Empire Parkeston'when I embarked for Germany in 1955" - sleeve notes by Graeme Miles), although he believed several recordings of the third version existed.

When I started singing on Teesside in the mid 60s, the usual version (sung mainly by The Teesside Fettlers - this was possibly the third version GM referred to - I must dig out my old TF recordings and see if they recorded it;I can't remember) was only 3 verses (omitting the farewell to the girls from the 4 verse version quoted elsewhere), this was presumably the third version. That verse we got from Graeme himself at some time in the late 60s/early 70s. The tune used differed from that used by the Wilsons in that it was a slow 3-time song without the repeat of the Sergeant bit at the end of the verse and with 'Life on a serviceman's pay' in the chorus.
The very long version quoted elsewhere I have never heard and don't know if this is one of Graeme's later versions of the song or not.

Mick