Huddersfield Corporation Tramways
Summary
Huddersfield Corporation Tramways was the first municipal authority to actually work its tramway system, rather than leasing it to an independent company, and though it was at first overwhelmingly a steam-operated enterprise (from 1883 to 1902), it did briefly operate horse tram services on its Moldgreen route (from 1885 to 1888). Staff working these services wore smart but informal attire, jacket, shirt and tie, trousers, and the ubiquitous bowler hat, a form of headgear much favoured by horse tram staff throughout the country, at least up until the late 1890s.
Steam tram drivers (and stokers) wore typical railway footplate clothing (cotton jackets and trousers) with grease-top or cloth caps (without badges). Conductors initially wore identical attire to their horse-tram counterparts, but some time in the 1890s, it appears that the corporation decided to issue uniforms. Jackets were single-breasted with four buttons (probably marked with the system title — see link) and lapels, and were cut away at the bottom giving the impression of a frock coat. Caps were in a kepi style and carried an oval badge of unknown pattern, possibly of embroidered cloth, though they could have been of metal with a leather inlay (photos show a much darker appearance in the centre). The badge probably bore an employee number in the middle.
For the inauguration of electric services, staff were issued with single-breasted jackets with four buttons and lapels, the latter being plain. Caps were initially in a kepi style, and carried a large oval cap badge of unknown pattern, almost certainly in brass to match the buttons (see link), though a change was subsequently made — around 1903/4 — to a more modern military style of cap with a tensioned crown (top). In the late Edwardian era (around 1907/8), a new style of single-breasted jacket was introduced with five buttons, breast pockets, upright collars and epaulettes. The collars bore 'H C T' in individual brass letters on the bearer's right-hand side, and an employee number in individual brass numerals on the left-hand side; the epaulettes had a button fastening at the neck end, and bore a small brass municipal shield badge (see below). At the same time, the large oval cap badge appears to have been dispensed with, being superseded by a standard, 'off-the-shelf', script-lettering grade badge — either Motorman or Conductor — with the municipal shield badge worn above. Soon afterwards, motormen appear to have been switched to a double-breasted, 'lancer-style' of tunic with two rows of five buttons — narrowing from top to bottom — upright collars and epaulettes; the collars and epaulettes carried the same insignia as conductors' jackets.
A final change was made to the uniform in the 1930s, when both conductors and motormen were issued with a more modern cut of double-breasted jacket with two rows of four buttons, lapels and epaulettes; the insignia were identical to that worn previously, but with badges and buttons almost certainly in chrome rather than brass. From 1936 onwards, when the name of the undertaking was changed to Huddersfield Corporation Passenger Transport, uniforms would almost certainly have borne 'Huddersfield Transport' buttons.
Conductors and motormen were also issued with double-breasted greatcoats; photographs suggest that these garments bore no badges.
In the steam era, inspectors wore single-breasted jackets with lapels, similar to those issued to conductors, but with slit pockets; no badges of any kind adorned the jackets. Like the conductors, a kepi-style cap was worn, seemingly with the same style cap badge (possibly containing an employee number), but with a pom pom on the top. In the electric era, a change was made to more traditional single-breasted jackets with hidden buttons (or more likely a hook and eye affair), edged in a different and finer material than the main jacket. Caps remained in the kepi style, possibly without the pom pom, and were worn long after tramcar staff had switched to military-style caps; the kepis probably carried an embroidered script-lettering grade badge, Inspector. In later years, inspectors may have been issued with more modern single-breasted jackets with lapels — evidence is currently lacking — though they certainly switched to the military-style caps.
In common with the vast majority of UK tramway systems, female staff were employed during the Great War to replace tramwaymen lost to the armed services. The conductresses were issued with tailored, single-breasted jackets with five buttons, two breast pockets, a waist belt, epaulettes and high, fold-over collars, which were fastened down by buttons at each side. The epaulettes usually bore the standard municipal shield badge, though photographs also show them left plain. A long matching skirt was also worn, along with a baggy cap with a glossy peak; although the caps sometimes bore the standard shield cap badge, and occasionally a script-lettering grade badge, invariably the ladies chose to substitute the usual insignia for regimental sweetheart badges. This was common practice amongst tramway personnel the length and breadth of the country during the Great War, to show solidarity with loved ones who were away serving in the armed forces. Straw bonnets were also issued, almost certainly for use in summer, and these carried the grade — 'CONDUCTOR' — in block letters on a hat band (see below).
Women were also employed as tram conductresses during the Second World War, though only briefly, as the last tram ran on 29th June 1940. These ladies were issued with what appear to have been one-piece, full-length smocks, which were presumably worn over their own skirts and blouses; they were single-breasted with five buttons and lapels that bore 'H C T' metal initials on the right-hand side, and an employee number on the left-hand side. Headgear appears to have taken the form of a small beret, which was kept in place with a pin; the beret almost certainly carried the Huddersfield municipal shield badge. The use of the smocks and the beret is, to the best of my knowledge, unique amongst British and Irish tramway systems.
My thanks go to Stephen Howarth and Stephen Lockwood for photographs and background information.
For more information on Huddersfield's tram system, see: 'The Tramways of Huddersfield' by Roy Brook; The Advertiser Press Ltd (1959).
Images
Horse tram drivers and conductors
Horse Tram No 7 outside the Junction Hotel at Moldgreen — May 1885, no doubt at or shortly after the official inauguration of the service. All present are in smart but informal attire, a situation that doubtless also applied to staff working the steam services in the early years of the system. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
Steam tram drivers and conductors
Kitson Steam Tram No 14 and crew (the driver is Earnest Pogson) on a Berry Brow service in Lockwood Road — photo undated, but possibly taken around the time this line was opened in June 1892. The conductor is dressed in informal attire, holding a brass fare collection box. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
An unidentified Kitson Steam Tram and crew on a Lockwood service in Norman Avenue — photo undated, but probably taken in the mid-to-late 1890s.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the conductor, in single-breasted uniform jacket and kepi-style cap with what would appear to be an embroidered cap badge.
A number of tramway staff pose for the camera, possibly in Railway Street, with an unidentified steam tram on a service to Salendine Nook — photo undated, but probably taken in the late 1890s. The driver and the stoker are wearing typical railway footplate-like attire. Author's Collection.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the tramway staff, from left to right: inspector, driver, stoker and conductor (the latter with fare collection box in hand). The driver and the stoker are wearing typical railway footplate-like attire, whilst the conductor is clearly wearing a uniform jacket with a kepi-style cap bearing an embroidered cap badge.
Huddersfield Steam Tram No 25 (a Thomas Green & Sons product of 1892) in Bridge St, Lockwood Bar — photo undated, but probably taken in the late 1890s.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the conductor, once again, wearing a uniform with a kepi-style cap.
Motormen and conductors
A conductor and motorman, along with a postman (extreme left), pose with what appears to be a brand new Tramcar No 9, probably taken around the time that the Longwood route opened (25th February 1901). Author's Collection.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the conductor and motorman; both men are wearing kepi-style caps that bear a large oval cap badge, almost certainly made of brass.
The crew of Tramcar No 65 at an unidentified terminus on an Edgerton-Lindley service — photo undated, but probably early Edwardian given the pristine condition of the vehicle, which entered service in 1903. Both men are wearing kepi-style caps and the prominent oval cap badge.
Tramcar No 54 on a service to Crossland Moor — photo undated, but probably taken around 1903/4. Photo courtesy of the National Tramway Museum.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the motorman and conductor. Although the large oval cap badge is still in evidence, the caps are now in a more modern military style with a tensioned crown (top). The lack of any insignia (other than the buttons) on the conductor's uniform is clear to see.
Tramcar No 64 on a service to Almondbury — photo undated, but definitely taken prior to 1907 when the wooden route boards seen on the side of the tram were dispensed with, and possibly as early as 1903/4. Photo courtesy of the National Tramway Museum. 
A blow-up of the above photo showing the conductor and motorman, both of whom are wearing double-breasted greatcoats.
A shot of Tramcar No 52 taken at the Longwood terminus — photo undated, but from the style of the passenger's clothing, probably mid-to-late Edwardian. Both men are wearing script-lettering grade badges and a small municipal shield device (see below) on their caps, and a new style of single-breasted jacket with upright collars. Author's Collection.
The crew of Tramcar No 76 pose with their vehicle — photo purportedly taken in 1913. The motorman is wearing a 'lancer-style' tunic, whilst the conductor has the standard single-breasted jacket. Source unknown.
Tramcar No 52 again, rests at Wasp Nest Road loop, Fartown — photo undated, but probably taken shortly before the Great War. With thanks to Stephen Howarth.
A studio portrait of three Huddersfield motormen. The individual on the left-hand side is Employee No 149, whereas the situation with the other two is unclear, as neither has a collar number. Photo undated, but probably taken shortly before the Great War. Author's Collection.
A blow-up of the above photo showing Employee No 149 — a Huddersfield municipal shield badge appears on both epaulettes, as well as above his script-lettering grade badge.
General pattern script-lettering cap badges — Motorman and Conductor — of the type used by Huddersfield Corporation Tramways from around 1907/8 onwards. Author's Collection.
Huddersfield municipal shield badge — brass. This was worn on the jacket epaulettes, as well as on the cap, from around 1907/8 onwards. Author's Collection.
The crew of Tramcar No 8 pose for the cameraman in Spaines Rd, Fartown — photo undated, but certainly taken after 1910 when the truck the vehicle is mounted on here was fitted, and possibly as late as 1912. 
Motorman and conductor with Tramcar No 56 on Service No 8 to Longwood — photo undated, but almost certainly taken in the mid-1920s, as this car was vestibuled by 1930.
Conductor and motorman with Tramcar No 70 outside Great Northern St tram depot — photo undated, but probably taken during the 1920s as this car was vestibuled in 1930.
The crew of what is probably a brand-new Tramcar No 136, dating the shot to 1924 or shortly thereafter, pose for the camera with a No 4 service. Author's Collection.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the conductor and motorman (Employee No 193) in more detail.
The crew of Tramcar No 71 stand with their charge at Outlane Terrace on 29th September 1933. Photographer, Dr H Nicol. Their right-hand lapels bear 'H C T' initials, with employee numbers carried on the left-hand side. With thanks to the National Tramway Museum. 
A blow-up of the above photo showing the motorman and conductor; their right-hand lapels bear 'H C T' initials, with employee numbers carried on the left-hand side. 
Huddersfield municipal shield badge — chrome. Chrome badges were probably worn on the jacket epaulettes from the 1930s onwards.
Senior staff
A blow-up of the 'Railway St' steam tram photo above, showing an individual who, given the pom pom on his cap, is almost certainly an inspector; the oval cap badge is very similar to the conductor's (in the same shot above), and both would appear to be cloth.
An inspector with the crew of Tramcar No 13 at the terminus at Outland - photo undated, but certainly taken no earlier than 1907 as the tram has destination boxes in the central saloon window (not shown). The inspector still has a kepi-style cap, even though the tramcar staff had by this time switched to the more modern military style.
Two inspectors supervising Football Specials — photo undated, but probably taken in the 1930s.
A studio portrait of a Huddersfield Corporation Transport inspector, taken on the 27th April 1945. Whilst this is almost five years after the tramway closed, the styles of the jacket and the cap most probably reflect those issued to this grade in the years immediately prior to closure.
Female staff
An excellent studio portrait of twelve Huddersfield Corporation Tramways Great War tram conductresses. Only five of them would appear to have the standard baggy cap with glossy peak, the rest are wearing a variety of informal headwear. Only two of the ladies have the standard municipal shield cap badge, the rest have some form of regimental sweetheart badge. Author's Collection.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the only lady who is wearing a municipal shield badge and a grade badge on her cap.
Another blow-up of the above studio photo showing a lady in the standard tunic (with municipal shield badge on her epaulettes), but with an informal bonnet. The button fastening arrangement of the collar is clear to see.
Huddersfield Corporation Tramways Great War conductress. The back of the card carries the date '1918' and the name 'Ethel Dowson' and 'from Bessie'. Author's Collection.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the grade, which is carried on a hat band. The straw bonnet was more than likely summer wear, with a felt bonnet or baggy cap being substituted during the colder months.
A group of conductresses photographed on 1st July 1940, some two days after the last tram ran. They appear to be wearing one-piece, button-up smocks and berets. The General Manager (H C Godsmark) is on the extreme right, with the Traffic Manager on the extreme left.