How do I read a date code?

I'm looking at some British message forms (20th Anti-Tank Reg't RA) from 1945 and they have date codes like:

281300

I think that that indicates 28th of whatever month, 1300 hours. And (if they don't list a month) you'd have to read the month as implied based on the location of the document (in a file). Is that right?

Chris

 

In short: yes, yes and yes!

 

Thanks, idler!

 

I think it might make more sense if seen on a message form. Army Form B2504 had the date entered at the top in full. Under the date/time column the shorthand you asked about is used, so as Idler noted the day of the month, then the time in 24hr clock format to give a six digit identifier. Probably some better explanation available than mine if you have a search for say AF B2504 or some such.

Gary

 

Well, these seem to be Form C2136 (Small) with no date at the top.

I've attached an image here as an example.

 

Form C2136 gets a mention in Hansard!

Telegraph Forms (Hansard, 19 October 1943)

Seems they were for use with telegraph equipment (the one I suggested is in the pamphlet on Signal Office Working).

Gary