Portsmouth Corporation Tramways
Summary
Following the corporation's take-over of the Portsmouth Street Tramways Company in 1901, the corporation operated horse trams for nearly 30 months, the last one running in May 1903. Although it is currently unclear whether uniforms were issued to horsecar crews, what photographic evidence there is, suggests that they were not.
Electric tramcar crews initially wore heavy-duty double-breasted jackets with three pockets, four pairs of buttons (probably brass — see link) and lapels. The left-hand collar bore ‘P C T’ in individual initials, whilst the right-hand side appears to have borne an employee number (both probably brass to match the buttons). The tensioned-crown peaked caps bore a small shield-shaped badge taken from the city’s coat of arms; this was worn above a script-lettering grade badge, either 'Motorman' or 'Conductor', again more than likely in brass to match the buttons.
New dark grey uniforms — edged in red piping — were issued to all 355 staff in August 1916. These were very similar in style to their predecessors, being double-breasted with five pairs of buttons (four in later issues), three waist level pockets and lapels; the latter bore 'P.C.T' one-piece collar badges on each side rather than the individual metal letters and employee numbers that had been worn previously. The caps were unchanged, but now bore a prominent nickel and blue enamel cap badge; these were, however, not issued until the 27th September, possibly due to wartime supply difficulties. The new badges were emblazoned with the system title — ‘PORTSMOUTH TRAMWAYS’ — with an employee number in the centre; lower numbers were apparently issued to conductors and higher numbers to motormen (see 'Tramways of Portsmouth' by S E Harrison). The button material was possibly changed to nickel at this time, and in later years (i.e., the 1930s), to chrome.
At some point, probably in the 1920s, the 'P.C.T' collar badges were dispensed with in favour of the small Portsmouth shield badge that had previously adorned the caps. Given that marked chrome 'tramway' buttons have survived in considerable numbers, it is probable that the shield badges were also changed to chrome at some point prior to closure.
Tramcar crews were also issued with long double-breasted greatcoats with five pairs of buttons, three waist-level pockets, high fold-over collars and epaulettes; the collars probably carried system initials up to the 1920s, thereafter the municipal shield badge. Tramcar crews also wore municipal licence badges, which appear to have been enamel; in addition to the number, they bore the crescent and star of Portsmouth. These appear to have been dispensed with around the time of the Great War, probably when the numbered cap badges were introduced.
It is unclear what uniforms were worn by inspectors, either during the early years or towards the end of tramway operation. Several examples of bullion-embroidered cloth badges have survived for senior grades ('TIMEKEEPER', 'INSPECTOR', 'DEPOT INSPECTOR' and 'CHIEF INSPECTOR' are known); it is highly likely that these badges were worn on the jacket collars. Little is known about senior staff headwear, though some photographs suggest that the early caps may have been either of the kepi or dropping-peak type. A photograph taken late on in the tramways life clearly shows a senior uniformed member of staff wearing a tensioned-crown peaked cap, which if other systems are anything to go by, probably replaced the earlier caps a good few decades earlier. These caps carried elaborate embroidered-cloth cap badges that probably bore the full system title in gold bullion (see below for an example). It is likely that the most senior grade, i.e., the Chief Inspector, wore a slightly more elaborate cap badge, but still of bullion-embroidered cloth.
In common with the majority of UK tramway systems, Portsmouth employed female staff during the Great War (from 1915) to replace male staff lost to the armed services; these ladies were overwhelmingly employed as conductresses, though a few were trained as drivers in 1918. It is unclear what uniforms were issued initially, though there is no reason to think that these were any different from those issued in August 1916, which comprised long tailored single-breasted jackets with five buttons, a waist belt with buttons, two waist pockets, high, fold-over collars and epaulettes; the collars bore the same one-piece 'P.C.T' collar badges as the jackets worn by male employees. Two types of cap were worn, one probably for winter wear, and the other probably for summer wear. Both were of the tensioned-crown type, one type with a woven straw crown (presumably for summer use) and the other a baggy crown, often called a motor cap. The caps bore the same badges as those worn by male tramcar crews, i.e., a script-lettering 'Conductor' badge until September 1916, and the new nickel and blue enamel pattern from then onwards.
Portsmouth Corporation Tramways was officially renamed the ‘City of Portsmouth Passenger Transport Department’ on 14th July 1936, barely four months before the last tram ran. Whilst the ‘CofPPTD’ cap badge illustrated below could have been issued to tramway staff, it is highly unlikely that it was.
For a detailed history of the area's tramways, see 'Tramways of Portsmouth' by S E Harrison, Light Railway Transport League (1955).
Images
Motormen and conductors
Portsmouth Conductor 185 — photo undated, but very probably taken in the first decade of operation. Author's Collection.
An enlargement of the above photograph showing details of the uniform, including the shield-shaped cap badge worn on the rain cover, and the employee number on both the licence badge and the right-hand collar.
Portsmouth Corporation Tramways cap badges — brass/gilt and chrome. The brass badge was initially worn as a cap badge, but was later relegated to the collars following the introduction of the large cap badge below. The chrome example would not have been issued until the 1930s at the earliest, and potentially not until after the tramway system had closed. Author's Collection.
Standard, off-the-shelf, script-lettering cap badges of the type used by Portsmouth Corporation Tramways — brass. Author's Collection.
A motorman poses for the camera with Tramcar 116 at Clarence Pier — photo undated, but probably taken in the mid-to-late 1920s. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
An enlargement of the above photograo showing the motorman; the large municipal cap badge (introduced in late 1916) and the lighter cut of the jacket compared to the earlier version, are easily seen. 
Portsmouth Corporation Tramways cap badge — nickel and blue enamel — introduced in September 1916. The relatively high number of this badge would suggest that it was issued to a motorman. Author's Collection.
A conductor and a motorman pose for the photographer (Dr H Nicol) with two tramcars, one of which (No 48) is on a Route 11 service to the dockyard — photo undated, but probably taken in the early 1930s. With thanks to the National Tramway Museum. 
An enlargement of the above photograph showing the conductor and the motorman; the former is wearing a double-breasted jacket, but now with shield badges on the collars rather than system initials formerly worn there.
A conductor stands somewhat proprietorially with Tramcar No 57 at the Hard — photo undated, but very probably taken in the early 1930s. Photographer, A D Packer. With thanks to the National Tramway Museum. 
An enlargement of the above photograph showing the conductor; it is the only image I'm aware of which appears to show a tramway employee wearing a single-breasted jacket.
A motorman at the controls of Tramcar No 82 — photo undated, but probably taken in the early 1930s. Photographer, M J O'Connor. With thanks to the National Tramway Museum. 
Tramcar No 84 captured in what is probably a depot — although the photo is undated, it was probably taken towards the end of tramway operation (i.e., circa 1936) and may have been taken to commemorate the closure of a line or even the entire system. The man in the overcoat (left) is certainly a senior uniformed member of staff, probably an Inspector.
An enlargement of the above photograph showing the motorman. A PSV drivers' licence badge is suspended from one of his jacket buttons; these were not required for tram driving, so he may well also have driven motorbuses, for which it was a legal requirement.
City of Portsmouth Passenger Transport Department cap badge (introduced some time after July 1936), though possibly not before the demise of the tramway — nickel and blue enamel. Author's Collection.
Senior staff
Tramcar No 84 with a service for Eastney stands in front of the Victoria Barracks — photo undated, but probably taken in the early Edwardian era. The three figures on the right are probably inspectors, all of whom appear to be wearing kepi or drooping-peak caps. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
Two individuals pose with an unidentified tram — photo undated, but almost certainly taken prior to the Great War. Both men are wearing single-breasted jackets, a contrast which suggests that they may be senior staff. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
An enlargement of the depot photograph above showing details of the senior staff member, probably an inspector. The subject would appear to be wearing a City of Portsmouth Passenger Transport inspector's cap badge (shown below), the departmental name having only changed to this form barely four months before the last tram ran.
A City of Portsmouth Passenger Transport inspector's cap badge, No 17 — bullion-embroidered cloth.
PCT cap badge — bullion-embroidered cloth. It is unclear which grades this cap badge was used for, though it was possibly for inspectors (during the tramway era). Author's Collection.
Timekeeper's collar badge — bullion-embroidered cloth. Author's Collection.
Inspector's collar badge — bullion-embroidered cloth. Author's Collection.
Depot Inspector's collar badge — bullion-embroidered cloth. Author's Collection.
Chief Inspector's collar badge — bullion-embroidered cloth. Author's Collection.
Unknown stripe badge, probably worn on the jacket sleeve, possibly denoting long service or good conduct — bullion-embroidered cloth. Author's Collection.
Female staff
A studio portrait of a conductress, probably called Maude, by a Portsmouth-based photographer — photo undated, but likely to have been taken early in the Great War as she is not wearing the new style of cap badge issued in September 1916. Author's Collection.
An enlargement of the above photograph showing that whilst the subject is wearing the newer 'P.C.T' one-piece collar badges, she still has the older script-lettering grade badge. The cap probably has a woven straw crown, though this is hidden by a rain cover.
A PCT tram conductress (Employee No 65) — 1916. On the back of the photograph, the inscription reads: "Auntie Florrie Rutland (sp?) 1916, on the trams at Portsmouth". Although she is wearing the new corporation cap badge (introduced in September 1916), her tunic collars are missing the usual PCT initials badges; she also sports a baggy peaked cap, sometimes referred to as a motor cap. Author's Collection.
Great War Portsmouth tram conductress Alice Emberton (nee Knight James) — photo undated, but certainly taken after September 1916 and no later than 1919. Photo with kind permission of Anne Stocks, Alice's granddaughter.
An enlargement of the above photograph showing details of the collar insignia, as well as the employee number (No 50). The subject is wearing a tensioned-crown peaked cap with a straw crown; these would have been issued for summer use.