City of Hull Tramways /Hull Corporation Tramways
Summary
Although Hull Corporation became a horse tramway owner in 1896, it did not operate the services itself, instead leasing them to a local operator, W Nettleton. Municipal operation therefore only began on 5th July 1899, with the commencement of the first electric services. The corporation became a steam tramway owner (and operator) on the 31st January 1900, when it purchased the assets of the Drypool and Marfleet Steam Tramway Company; services were operated for just under a year, the last running on the 13th January 1901.
Staff on the newly inaugurated electric services were issued with single-breasted jackets with a row of five buttons (almost certainly in brass and carrying the Hull shield device — see link), three waist-level flap pockets and stand-up collars. The uniforms were in blue serge piped in red, and with the exception of the buttons, did not carry any kind of insignia. The caps were initially in a kepi style; they bore an oval cloth cap badge piped in red, which bore the title 'HULL CITY TRAMS' in red embroidered letters. These caps do not appear to have lasted long, quickly being displaced by drooping peak caps; the new caps carried a one-piece 'HCT' initials cap badge (almost certainly in brass), with an employee number (in individual brass numerals) worn below. These caps were in turn superseded, probably in the late Edwardian era, by more modern tensioned crown (top) caps with glossy peaks; however, they continued to carry the same insignia as their immediate predecessors.
A more modern style of jacket was certainly introduced in later years, possibly just after the Great War, and though still single-breasted, it now had two breast pockets (with button closures), lapels and epaulettes (again with button closures). A new cap badge was also introduced, probably in 1919 when the name of the enterprise was officially changed to Hull Corporation Tramways; the badge comprised the Hull municipal shield device within a garter containing the full system title, 'HULL CORPORATION TRAMWAYS'. The employee number, previously worn on the cap, was probably moved to the jacket epaulettes at the same time the cap badge was changed. The cap badge has survived in both brass and nickel, suggesting that a transition was made from one to the other at some point, more than likely from the former to the latter. Although the general form of the cap badge remained the same, caps issued after 1932 presumably bore badges bearing the title 'HULL CORPORATION TRANSPORT', the name of the undertaking having been changed that year.
Tramcar crews were also issued with long, double-breasted greatcoats with six pairs of buttons and high, fold-over collars; in the early years these garments bore Hull municipal-device buttons on the coat cuffs, as an embellishment. Other than the buttons, the greatcoats bore no markings or badges. During the Great War, male staff sometimes wore greatcoats with plain buttons.
In the early years, inspectors and timekeepers (and depot foremen too) wore blue cloth uniforms piped in red, comprising double-breasted jackets with two rows of four buttons, three waist-level flap pockets, an open breast pocket, and lapels; the collars bore their grade — 'Inspector' or 'Timekeeper' or 'Foreman' — in embroidered script lettering. Their drooping-peak caps bore a large silver badge, almost naval in appearance, which apparently bore the grade in silver thread along with system initials — 'H C T'; the caps were subsequently changed to a tensioned crown type, probably at the same time as this style of cap was adopted for tramcar staff. For inspectors and timekeepers (at least), a more traditional tramway uniform was eventually introduced; this comprised a single-breasted jacket (with hidden buttons, or more likely a hook and eye affair), edged in a finer material than the main body of the jacket, and with stand-up collars; the latter probably bore 'Inspector' or 'Timekeeper' in embroidered script lettering, though this cannot be made out with certainty on surviving photographs.
A photograph has survived (see below) which shows an individual wearing a much more elaborate uniform comprising a single-breasted, three-quarter-length jacket with hook and eye fasteners, ostentatious braiding (on the front and sleeves) and stand-up collars; the latter appear to have borne the grade 'Inspector' in embroidered script lettering. The cap was in a drooping-peak style (ordinary inspectors were by this time wearing tensioned-crown peaked caps) with a glossy peak (with braiding), a wreath cap badge, all topped by a pom pom. It seems likely that the individual was the Chief Inspector.
In common with many UK tramway systems, women were employed during the Great War — and for a short time afterwards — to replace male staff lost to the armed services, initially as conductresses, but later as motorwomen and inspectresses. These ladies were issued with single-breasted, tailored jackets with five buttons, four pockets (with button closures), a waist belt with button fastening, epaulettes and lapels. Long matching skirts were also worn. As was the case with male uniforms, no insignia other than the buttons was carried. Odd photographs have survived which show women wearing a different style of jacket, still single breasted, but with two waist-level pockets and high-fold-over collars; it is unclear whether one style succeeded the other or whether they were intended for different grades. Caps were of the wide-crown peaked type; they bore the same insignia as the men's caps.
The ladies were also issued with long, single-breasted overcoats with six buttons, epaulettes and high, fold-over collars; these garment also appear not to have borne any badges.
Female staff were also employed during the Second World War, however, the only photograph that I have been able to find is of a conductress in a double-breasted overcoat with lapels (devoid of insignia), so details of the uniform worn underneath, save for trousers, remain unknown. Headgear took the form of a baggy cap with a glossy peak; this bore the standard later-period round cap badge, presumably the 'Transport' pattern.
For more information on Hull's tramways, see: 'A History of Kingston Upon Hull's Tramways' by Malcolm Wells; Adam Gordon Publishing (2012).
Images
Motormen and conductors
An early Hull City Tramways kepi-style cap. Hull Street Life Museum.
An excellent photo taken inside the Cottingham Rd Depot showing an array of tramcar staff (motormen and conductors), as well as a senior grade employee (far right), who is possibly a Depot Foreman - photo undated, but probably taken around the turn of the century. Photograph courtesy of Paul Gibson (see link).
An enlargement of the above photograph, showing details of the uniform, including the drooping-peak caps, which bore a one-piece 'HCT' initials badge above an employee number. The individual standing to the right of the motorman appears to be wearing a waterproof cover on his cap. Photograph courtesy of Paul Gibson (see link).
The crew of Tramcar No 28 in Anlaby Rd near Wheeler St Depot in 1908. Both men are wearing drooping-peak caps, which by this time were quite old fashioned. Photograph courtesy of Paul Gibson (see link).
Hull City Tramways Employee No 253, James Lawrence Parker — photo undated, but probably taken in the mid-to-late Edwardian era. James was born in 1886, and worked on the trams both before and after the Great War, dying in 1968. He is wearing a long, heavy-duty greatcoat, so he may well have been a motorman at this point in his career. Photo courtesy of James Parker's grandson, George Baker.
Hull tramwayman No 441 poses in his somewhat ill-fitting uniform and a tensioned-crown peaked cap, for what was undoubtedly a family snap — photo undated, but probably taken just prior to the Great War. Author's Collection.
The crew of what looks to be a newly vestibuled and outshopped Tramcar No 61, plus a timekeeper, pose for the cameraman at the Holderness Rd terminus. Although the photo is undated, the pristine looking vestibule suggests that it was taken directly after fitting, i.e., June 1915. Photo courtesy of the National Tramway Museum. 
An enlargement of the above photograph showing the conductor and the motorman, Employees No 297 and 267.
A conductress (unfortunately blurred) and a motorman with Tramcar No 54 on Hedon Road (Route M/A) in 1915. The motorman's greatcoat buttons are plain (i.e., unmarked), presumably due to supply problems during the conflict. Author's Collection.
A conductor and a motorman pose with Tramcar No 134 outside the depot on 22nd May 1938. Photographer, W A Camwell. Photo courtesy of the National Tramway Museum. 
An enlargement of the above photograph showing the crewmen's single-breasted jackets (with lapels) and the round cap badge introduced after the Great War. 
Hull Corporation Tramways cap badge — gilt/brass; probably issued to tramway staff from shortly after the Great War until 1932 or thereabouts. Author's Collection.
Hull Corporation Tramways cap badge — nickel; probably issued to tramway staff from shortly after the Great War until circa 1932.
Hull Corporation Transport staff photo — undated, but probably taken after the demise of the tramway given the plethora of WW2 medals on display. Photo courtesy of Memory Lane Images.
An enlargement of the above photograph showing a group of four drivers/conductors.
Hull Corporation Transport cap badge — nickel; almost certainly issued to tramway staff from 1932 to 1945. Author's Collection.
Senior staff
An enlargement of the Cottingham Depot staff photograph above. The figure on the right is probably the Depot Foreman. Photograph courtesy of Paul Gibson (see link).
An enlargement of the Great War conductresses depot photograph below, showing an individual who is, in all probability, a foreman. He is still wearing the same style of double-breasted jacket seen in the turn of the century photograph above, though the drooping-peak style of cap had by this time been superseded by a more modern tensioned-crown type.
Another blow-up of the Great War conductresses depot photo (see below), showing an individual who, from the elaborate nature of his uniform, including a drooping-peak cap, would appear to be the Chief Inspector. His collar insignia, however, appear to be 'Inspector'.
An enlargement of the 1915 photo of Tramcar No 61 above, showing the senior staff member. His collar designations are difficult to make out, but appear to be consistent with the grade of 'Timekeeper'.
An enlargement of the post-WW2 staff photo above, showing an inspector.
Hull Corporation Transport inspector's cap badge — gilt/brass; photographs strongly suggest that this badge was not worn during the tramway era. Photo courtesy of the National Tramway Museum.
Female staff
A group of female staff (twenty-two in total) along with two senior uniformed members of staff — photo undated, but almost certainly taken during the Great War. The lady seated second from the right on the front row is believed to be Mary Witty, whilst the lady on the middle row at the extreme left is Alice Henrietta Petersen; both these ladies are pictured in studio portraits below. Author's Collection.
Hull City Tramways Great War female employee (No 647), Mary Witty (nee Ball). Author's Collection.
An enlargement of the above photograph, which clearly shows the one-piece nature of the cap badge.
Hull City Tramways Great War female employee (No 747). In contrast to the other photographs, the jacket here has only two pockets and high, fold-over collars rather than lapels. Author's Collection.
An enlargement of the above photograph, which is sharp enough to show the Hull shield on the buttons.
HCT conductress (Employee No 660) — photo undated, but almost certainly taken during the Great War. Photograph courtesy of Paul Gibson (see link).
A studio portrait of a Hull City Tramways Great War tram conductress (Employee No 809) in a great coat. Author's Collection.
HCT Great War conductress Alice Evans nee Deinty (Employee No 783). Mrs Evans had only been married for a couple of weeks before her husband was killed in the war. Photo courtesy of the National Tramway Museum.
Conductress Alice Evans (left) with her motorman and another conductress aboard Tramcar No 43 — photo undated, but certainly taken during the Great War or shortly afterwards. Photo courtesy of the National Tramway Museum. 
Hull City Tramways Great War conductress Alice Henrietta Petersen nee Rosenqvist (Employee No 615). Photo courtesy of her grand-daughter, Catherine Ager (nee Petersen).
Conductress Edith Davidson and Motorman J H Dawson captured for posterity at the Holderness Rd terminus on 25th February 1919. Photo courtesy of the National Tramway Museum.
A motorman and a conductress with Tramcar No 113 at Dairycoats on the 1st December 1944. Photo courtesy of the National Tramway Museum.
A blow-up of the above photo showing details of the crew's uniforms. The conductress is wearing a double-breasted overcoat with lapels, seemingly devoid of insignia, along with a baggy peaked cap bearing the standard HCT circular cap badge, presumably bearing 'TRANSPORT' wording by this time.