(1) The character of every enrolled person borne on the books of a ship shall be recorded on page 23/24 of his service book by the Commanding Officer, who shall insert the entry in his own handwriting and write his signature on the same line as the character awarded, as follows;—
(a) On the 31st December in each year, except where enrolled persons are waiting trial for desertion.
(b) On being marked "RUN" , but not to be recorded until final discharge from ship's books unless the enrolled person is in desertion on the 31st December of the year in which he is marked "RUN".
(c) On discharge from the service, except where an enrolled person sentenced to imprisonment is to be discharged direct from the prison to civil life. In such circumstances, his character shall be assessed on the date he is discharged from ship's book.
(2) If an enrolled person dealt with under clause (b) or clause (c) of sub-rule (1) rejoins the service within the year, the assessed character awarded on the 31st December shall cover the whole year, the intermediate character awarded on desertion or discharge being ruled through. This does not apply to recovered deserters awaiting trial at the end of the year; their character shall not be assessed on the 31st December.