Green’s Dictionary of Slang

andrew n.2

[proper name of Lieutenant Andrew Miller, which gives Andrew Millar n.; a negative alternative suggests the name of a (then) well-known member of a press gang (see cit. 1955)]

1. the Royal Navy.

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[UK]Smyth Sailor’s Word-book 40: Andrew, or Andrew Millar, a cant name [...] for government and government authorities.
[UK](con. WWI) Fraser & Gibbons Soldier and Sailor Words 6: Andrew, The: The bluejackets’ universal term for the Royal Navy.
[UK]Partridge DSUE (1984) 20/1: mid-C.19–20.
[UK]D. Bolster Roll On My Twelve 129: The Andrew ... The Navy.
[UK]G. Freeman Liberty Man I. iv. 62: A press man called Andrew Miller [...] forced so many blokes to join, that it got known as Andrew’s navy. Then they shortened it to the Andrew [OED].
[UK]D. Powis Signs of Crime 172: Andrew, the The Royal Navy.
[UK](con. WW2) T. Jones Heart of Oak [ebook] This is my story / This is my song / Been in the Andrew / Too fucking long.

2. a government department or authority.

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[UK]Partridge DSUE (1984) 20/1: mid-C.19–20.