Gloucester Tramways

Summary
Photos of the first operator of Gloucester's horse tramway system — the Gloucester Tramways Company (1879-1881) — appear not to have survived, so it is impossible to say whether or not they wore uniforms. Several good quality images have however survived of the successor company — the City of Gloucester Tramways Co (1881-1902) — though mostly from the last few years of this concern's existence. These clearly show that both conductors and drivers wore long, single-breasted greatcoats with collars of a much darker colour — and probably a different material — than the main garment. These may have been issued by the company, but as the photos below appear to show variations, it is possible that the men were simply required to buy these themselves, a not uncommon practice at this time. It is unclear whether uniform jackets were worn underneath the greatcoats.

Caps were in a kepi style with a steeply inclined glossy peak; they do not appear to have carried a badge of any kind.

The last photograph below suggests that the company employed inspectors. If the individuals depicted are indeed inspectors, then they appear to have worn double-breasted overcoats with lapels and upper collars of a darker material than the main garment. Caps were in the same kepi-style issued to tramcar staff; once again, no badge would appear to have been worn.

Further reading
For more information on Gloucester's horse tramway system, see: 'The Gloucester Horse Tram' by R Wilson and R Jones; Gloucester Society for Industrial Archaeology Journal 2008, p18-30.

Images

Horse tram drivers and conductors
City of Gloucester Tramways horse tram No 10
City of Gloucester Tramways Co Horse Tram No 10 with uniformed driver and conductor — photo purportedly taken at the India House in 1897. Photo courtesy of the Stephen Howarth Collection.


City of Gloucester Tramways horse tram driver
A blow-up of the above photo showing the driver. He is wearing a greatcoat and a kepi-style cap, all seemingly devoid of insignia; whether these were self-purchased or company issued is unclear.


City of Gloucester Tramways horse tram No 10
Another photo of Horsecar No 10 — undated, but judging by the battered state of the vehicle, probably taken shortly before the corporation take-over of 1902. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.


City of Gloucester Tramways horse tram driver
A blow-up of the above photo showing the driver.


City of Gloucester Tramways horse tram
CofGTCo Horse Tram No 13 outside the Avenue Hotel on Bristol Rd — photo undated, but probably turn of the century. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.


City of Gloucester Tramways horse tram No 13 and driver
A blow-up of the above photo showing the driver. He is wearing a light-coloured greatcoat/overcoat and a kepi-style cap, all again devoid of insignia. The difference in the colour of the coat, compared with other photographs, suggests that they were self-purchased rather than company issued.


Senior staff
ity of Gloucester Tramways horse tram No 13 and inspector
A blow-up of the photograph of Horse Tram No 10 above showing a conductor (middle) flanked by two individuals, one or both of whom may be inspectors. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.