I am seeking help with part of this 1945 record of the wedding of McDonald/Benson, in particular the bride’s occupation. They were both serving in the RN at the time and were stationed at HMS Western Isles, a shore establishment on the Isle of Mull.
The registrar writes in quite an ornate hand, if not always with absolute clarity, and is meticulous in crossing ts, dotting is, and shaping her letters, so I have carefully compared other identical letters and, I believe, Betty’s occupation is recorded as “Deputy B *** yer”, who is also acting as the officers’ steward. Aged 19, she would have been a fairly new volunteer or conscript appointed to “general duties” (ie a general dogsbody).
This troublesome word is probably common naval jargon of the period, but I have drawn a blank trying to resolve it, even with the help of a crossword dictionary.
Any help in deciphering the puzzle most gratefully received.
