Naval Terminology

MollyMay

MollyMay

Knows where to find the answers!
Does anyone know the difference between the terms Straggler and Deserter?

My cousin has a rating who was often shown in his records as being AWOL, and was referred to as a Straggler, rather than a deserter, then punished, and we wondered what the difference was.
 
If you have a look at the link below, it seems that a Straggler was someone who missed the ship after being on shore leave rather than intentionally deserting.

The 3rd paragraph gives the fuller explanation. :)

Code: 
https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/deserters-stragglers-and-ramblers
 
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