Southampton Corporation Tramways
Summary
Southampton took over the local horse tramway (Southampton Tramways Company) on the 1st July 1898, and continued to operate horse trams until 3rd August 1901. It would appear that the corporation was happy to let its newly acquired horsecar staff continue to be attired as they had been under the auspices of the Tramway Company (see link), so they were probably never issued with uniforms.
The first of the new electric services was inaugurated on 22nd June 1900. Motormen and conductors were issued with double-breasted jackets with four pairs of buttons, presumably brass (see link), and lapels; the jacket collars probably bore 'S C T' in embroidered block capitals, though this cannot be made out with certainty on surviving photographs. Caps were in a kepi style similar that used by the erstwhile tramway company. Curiously, the cap insignia differed completely between motormen and conductors: whilst the latter bore an employee number on a hat band (in individual metal numerals, probably brass), the former had a very unusually shaped embroidered cloth badge (akin to the cross-section through a loaf of bread) that bore the grade — 'MOTOR MAN' — in block capitals over two lines, all within a border.
At some point in the early-Edwardian era, the cut of the jackets was altered, but still remained double-breasted with slit pockets (one on the left and two on the right) and lapels; the collars probably bore 'S C T' in upper-case embroidered initials. The kepi-style caps were superseded at the same time by peaked caps with wide, tensioned crowns (tops); these initially bore metal employee numbers (probably brass), though these were soon displaced by a new, elaborate cap badge comprising a municipal device above a ribbon containing the full system title: 'Southampton Corporation Tramways'.
Staff were also issued with long, double-breasted greatcoats with five pairs of buttons and high, fold-over collars; the latter carried embroidered block-capital system initials — 'S C T' — on both sides.
The uniforms were changed again around the time of the Great War; although the overall style remained the same, the right-hand collars now bore a one-piece nickel systems initials badge — 'SCT' — with the left probably carrying nickel employee number.s The cap badge was also changed, to a round design comprising a municipal shield within a garter containing the full system title; these were worn above a standard script-lettering cap badge, either 'Motorman' or 'Conductor'. At some point, possibly in the 1920s, a switch appears to have been made to single-breasted jackets with stand-up collars; the badges however, remained unchanged.
During the 1930s — or possibly as late as the 1940s — the jackets were changed one last time to a single-breasted design with four pairs of buttons, two waist pockets, two breast pockets (with button closures), epaulettes and lapels. It is highly likely that new uniform issues from the mid-1930s onwards would have borne 'Corporation Transport' insignia (badges and buttons), as the name of the department (and the fleet name) were changed to 'Southampton Corporation Transport' around this time (and certainly by 1936). These were initially nickel, but at some point the material was changed to chrome.
Tramcar staff were also issued with lightweight coats for summer use, as well as waterproof capes.
In the early Edwardian era, Southampton employed ticket examiners, a grade which appears to have been junior to an inspector. Ticket examiners wore long, double-breasted, frock-style coats with four pairs of closely spaced buttons, and lapels; the latter, as well as the collars, were edged in a finer material than the main body of the garment. The collars bore a large oval badge bearing the grade in block capitals ('TICKET' above and 'EXAMINER' below) with a number in the middle. It is unclear if the number denoted a class of ticket examiner (the photo below shows a '1') or if this was the examiner's employee number. Caps were in a kepi style and bore a large oval badge similar to the lapel badges, but presented vertically rather than horizontally.
In the early years, inspectors appear to have worn long double-breasted overcoats with five pairs of buttons and high, fold-over collars; the latter probably bore 'Inspector' in embroidered script lettering. The caps were initially in a kepi style with a glossy peak and appear to have carried a large cap badge of unknown pattern, but possibly embroidered cloth. These caps were eventually displaced by tensioned-crown peaked caps that bore the grade — 'Inspector ' — in embroidered script lettering. By this time, inspectors' jackets appear to have been identical to those issued to tramcar staff, but with embroidered, script-lettering grade badges — 'Inspector ' — on both collars. By the late 1940s, senior staff were being issued with double-breasted lounge suits with two pairs of plain buttons and wide lapels, all devoid of insignia. Headgear took the form of a tensioned-crown peaked cap; this bore a hat-band with the bearer's grade in embroidered script lettering.
As with many tramway systems, Southampton employed female staff during the Great War — as conductresses — to replace male staff lost to the armed services. Uniforms were of a dark grey gabardine material with red piping, and consisted of single-breasted jackets with four buttons, three open pockets (two waist and one breast), high fold-over collars, a waist belt (with button fastening), and a long skirt to match. The left-hand jacket collar bore an employee number (probably in in nickel), the right system initials ('S C T') seemingly embroidered; the latter were superseded at some point by the same one-piece nickel 'SCT' badge used on male jackets (on the right-hand side). Headgear came in three varieties: baggy cloth bonnets (with brims), baggy peaked motor caps (with cloth peaks) and wide-brimmed sou'wester-style waterproof bonnets; the baggy motor caps superseded the baggy bonnets, whilst the sou'westers were for use in summer (or bad wether). These cloth hats bore the standard round cap badge, but without the usual script-lettering grade badge, whilst the sou'westers were badgeless. The ladies were also issued with long, single-breasted topcoats. The first type, which bore four buttons, a waist belt (with button fastening), lapels and epaulettes, do not appear to have carried any insignia; the later type, which bore five buttons, high fold-vver collars and epaulettes, bore the same nickel insignia as the jackets worn underneath.
Southampton also employed the services of a lady inspector. The sole surviving photo (see below) indicates that this lady was issued with an overcoat very similar in style to those issued to conductresses, but with embroidered collar insignia, presumably 'Inspector'. The style of uniform that was presumably worn underneath is currently unknown. Headgear took the form of a standard tensioned-crown peaked cap with the standard cap badge.
Female staff were also employed during the Second World War, both as conductresses and motorwomen. These ladies were issued with single-breasted jackets with four pairs of buttons, breast pockets (with button closures), epaulettes and lapels; the upper part of the latter, i.e., the collars, was either left plain or bore a standard one-piece SCT initials badge. Headwear took the form of a baggy motor cap with an upturned back and sides (see below), and with a glossy peak; it carried the standard cap badge, sometimes augmented with a grade badge.
For a history of Southampton's tramways, see '100 Years of Southampton Transport'; Southampton City Transport and Southampton City Museums (1979).
Images
Motormen and conductors
Two motormen, two conductors and an inspector posing with Tramcar No 12 outside L Wildig’s greengrocers — photo undated, but probably taken in 1900 or 1901. While one conductor and the two motormen appear to be wearing kepi-style caps without insignia, the conductor at the front appears to have a small cap badge, possible a single-digit employee number, as used by the erstwhile Tramways Company. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
A conductor and a motorman with Tramcar No 14 outside Portswood Depot with a service bound for the Docks — photo undated, but probably taken in 1900 or 1901. The man on the left, in the frock-style coat with the large oval cap badge, is almost certainly a ticket examiner. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
A nice study of the crew of Tramcar No 7, on a service to Floating Bridge — photo undated, but probably taken in late 1901 or 1902. Author's Collection.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the motorman. The collars of his greatcoat bear embroidered 'S C T' system initials, whilst his kepi-style cap bears an unusually shaped cloth badge bearing his grade — 'MOTOR MAN' — on two lines in block capitals.
Another enlargement of the above photo, this time showing the conductor. In contrast to the motorman, his kepi-style cap simply bears an employee number (39) — on a dark-coloured hat band — in individual metal numerals, almost certainly brass.
Tramcar No 36 stands at Hampton Park with a motorman and Conductor Harry Henwood, both in heavy-duty greatcoats — photo undated, but probably taken in 1903/4. The two men standing in front of the tram probably have employee numbers on their caps, whilst the motorman more than likely has the same type of cloth badge as in the previous photo. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
The crew of Tramcar No 43 with a service for Floating Bridge — photo undated, but probably taken in the mid-Edwardian era. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
An enlargement of the above photo, which reveals both men to be wearing peaked caps with wide crowns; both bearing employee numbers. 
A studio portrait of a Southampton Corporation Tramways employee — photo undated, but probably taken in the mid-Edwardian era. The subject is wearing a wide-crown peaked cap that bears only an employee number (99); his uniform is otherwise devoid of insignia. Author's Collection.
What would appear to be a brand-new Tramcar No 51, dating the photo to 1906. Author's Collection.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the conductor, in tensioned-crown peaked cap bearing the new, elaborate cap badge.
Southampton Corporation Tramways cap badge, worn from the mid-Edwardian era through to the Great War — brass. Author's Collection.
The crew of Tramcar No 10 with a service for the Royal Pier — photo undated, but probably taken between 1911 and the Great War. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the conductor and motorman.
Southampton Corporation Tramways motorman — the rear of the postcard is dated July 1918, so the portrait was certainly taken no later than this. The new, round cap badge is clearly seen, as is the one-piece ‘SCT’ collar badge. The three stripes on the subject's left breast probably denote 'good conduct' or 'long service'. The meaning of the shield-shaped badge on the jacket lapel is unclear. Author's Collection.
Southampton Corporation Tramways cap badge, worn from around the start of the Great War through to closure — nickel.
Standard, 'off-the-shelf', script-lettering grade badges, which were used by the SCT from around the time of the Great War through to closure — nickel. Author's Collection.
SCT collar badge, used from the Great War through to closure — nickel. Author's Collection.
The crew of a rather pristine-looking Tramcar No 74 pose for the cameraman — photo undated, but probably taken not long after it was built in 1917. Author's Collection.
An enlargement of the above photograph showing the tramcar crew. The motorman has three horizontal stripes on the left breast of his jacket, whereas the conductor (Employee No 40) has inverted chevrons on his right jacket sleeve. These probably denoted either 'good conduct' or 'long service'.
A conductor, an inspector and a motorman aboard the platform of Tramcar No 13 at the Rest Camp terminus in the Avenue — photo thought to have been taken in 1921 or thereabouts. The inspector is Frances Burlefinger, who started his career with the Tramway Company in 1890 (see below).
Conductor Frederick Mayzes — Employee No 99 — taken some time during the 1920s. He is wearing a single-breasted jacket with upright collars. Source unknown.
Motorman Lilly and his conductor pose for the cameraman with Tramcar No 50 at Millbrook on 1st June 1947. Author's Collection.
A photo of what is possibly Tramcar No 45, which was sold to the Light Railway and Transport League in 1949 (probably the occasion marked by the photo). Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
Senior staff
The young Frances Burlefinger in 1900, newly promoted to the grade of Ticket Examiner. Author's Collection.
A blow-up of the above photo showing details of the cap and collar badges.
A blow-up of the first photo above (of Tramcar No 12), showing the inspector with kepi-style cap topped by a pom pom. It is unclear if the cap badge was metal or embroidered cloth.
Francis Burlefinger once again, but probably taken some 20+ years on from the earlier photograph (i.e., the 1920s or even 1930s), by which time he had clearly risen to the grade of inspector. The badge on the military-style cap is difficult to make out, but is possibly an embroidered script-lettering grade badge: 'Inspector'. Author's Collection. 
A blow-up of the photo of Tramcar No 13 above, showing Inspector Burlefinger in 1921, this time in an overcoat with 'Inspector' on each collar.
Motorman Bill Knopp, Inspector Barnes and Motorman Norman Stockwell pose for the camera of C G Stevens in Settle Close — photo undated, but probably taken in the late 1940s (No 6 was withdrawn in 1948). Photo courtesy of Martin Petch.
A blow-up of the above photo showing Inspector Barnes. His uniform takes the form of a lounge suit, with plain buttons and lacking insignia of any kind; his cap bears a hatband with embroidered lettering, most probably 'Chief Inspector'.
Female staff
A photograph purportedly showing Southampton's first intake of Great War conductresses — photo undated, but probably taken in July 1915. Stephen Howarth Collection.
An enlargement of the above photograph showing details of the uniforms; all the conductresses are wearing long, single-breasted top coats and sou'wester style waterproof bonnets.
Southampton Corporation Tramways Great War conductress, Employee No 55. Author's Collection.
An enlargement of the above photograph showing details of the uniform insignia. The left-hand collar of her single-breasted uniform jacket bears her employee number in metal numerals, the other side system initials, but embroidered rather than metal. Her cloth bonnet bears the standard circular cap badge, which was introduced around this time.
Southampton conductress, possibly called 'Gladys' — photo undated, but almost certainly taken during the Great War. By this time the embroidered system collar insignia had been replaced by a one-piece nickel system-initials badge, and the cloth bonnets by baggy motor caps. Note the absence of the script-lettering cap badge normally worn by male tramcar crews, and the presence of a small shield-shaped badge on the breast pocket. Author's Collection.
An enlargement of the above photograph showing details of the badges.
A conductress and a motorman with Tramcar No 39 on a service for the Royal Pier — photo undated, but almost certainly taken during or shortly after the Great War (No 39 was withdrawn in 1922). Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
A poor quality image, but one which depicts a group of conductresses taken on the last day of female conducting in 1919. Photo courtesy of the Stephen Howarth Collection.
An enlargement of the July 1915 photograph above, showing the inspectress.
A group of four motorwomen with Tramcar No 94, all receiving driving tuition from Instructor Wheeler — photo taken early in the Second World War. Photo courtesy of the Martin Petch Collection.
A blow-up of the above photo showing three of the motorwomen in their smart single-breasted jackets and baggy motor caps. All are wearing the standard circular SCT cap badge, though only the lady on the left has a grade badge too.
Southampton Corporation Tramways Second World War conductress's baggy motor cap. Despite the undertaking having been called 'Southampton Corporation Transport' since the mid-1930s, the cap bears a 'Tramways' cap badge, possibly because existing stocks were used for the women rather than ordering new 'Transport' issues. Author's Collection.