West Ham Corporation Tramways
Summary
Crews working the new electric services — introduced from 1904 onwards — were issued with single-breasted jackets with five buttons, two breast pockets (with button closures) and stand-up collars (without badges); the material was blue serge with red piping. The peaked caps had tensioned crowns and glossy black peaks, and bore an elaborate, oval brass cap badge comprising a municipal device within an oval surround containing the system title ('WEST HAM TRAMWAYS') inlaid with blue enamel, all within a wreath (see below for an example). The jackets bore an oval badge on the upper arm of the bearer's left sleeve; this was almost certainly of embroidered cloth, and appears to have borne the system title, 'WEST HAM' above an employee number, with 'TRAMWAYS' below. By circa 1906, new issues of jackets bore epaulettes, closed with a button at the neck end; these appear to have been initially without insignia, but soon began to bear a brass West Ham municipal-device badge. Occasional photographs appear to show these badges being worn on the stand-up collars.
The uniform jackets were restyled around the time of the Great War to a more modern single-breasted design with lapels; these were probably grey serge rather than the earlier blue. Circumstantial evidence suggests that the collars bore the standard municipal-device badge on one side and an employee number on the other, both almost certainly brass.
Tramcar staff were also issued with long, double-breasted greatcoats with five pairs of buttons and high, fold-over collars; the latter initially appear not to have borne any insignia, but very probably bore municipal-device badges in later years. Like all other London tramway systems, motormen and conductors were required to where enamel Public Carriage Office licence badges when working (see link); these took the form of a large oval disc (colours varied over the years) which was hung from a leather strap, usually on the bearer's left breast.
Senior staff initially wore elaborate single-breasted jackets with hidden buttons (or more likely a hook and eye affair) and stand-up collars; the latter probably bore the
grade – 'Inspector' – in embroidered script lettering, though this cannot be stated with certainty. These elaborate jackets probably didn't last long, and were almost certainly replaced by a more practical garment. The tensioned-crown peaked caps bore a large oval cap badge, possibly the same pattern used for tramcar crews. In later years, inspectors were issued with long double-breasted overcoats, possibly made of gabardine.
The vast majority of UK tramway systems employed female staff during the Great War to replace male staff lost to the armed services; it is, however, currently unknown whether West Ham Tramways did likewise.
For a history of the system, see: 'The Tramways of East London' by Rodinglea; The Tramway & Light Railway Society and The Light Railway Transport League (1967).
Images
Motormen and conductors
The crew of Tramcar No 43 pose for the camera at Wanstead Flats – photo undated, but judging by the pristine condition of the tram, probably taken in late 1904 when this route opened. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to Eddie Dawes.
An enlargement of the above photograph showing the conductor and the motorman, the former wearing a heavy greatcoat, which appears to be devoid of insignia, and the latter in a single-breasted jacket with stand-up collars, seemingly devoid of insignia. Both men are wearing tensioned-crown peaked caps that bear an elaborate oval brass cap badge (see below for an example). Whilst the motorman is clearly wearing a 'Stage Driver Mechanical Power' PCO licence (see link), the conductor's (No 7832) is less clear.
A West Ham Corporation Tramways cap badge — brass inlaid with blue enamel. Author's Collection.
Another shot taken at the terminus at Wanstead Flats, once again undated, but probably taken in 1904 when this route was opened. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to Eddie Dawes.
An enlargement of the above photograph showing the three tramwaymen, presumably the crew of No 37 and another individual, possibly the motorman of another tram. All three are wearing single-breasted jackets with plain stand-up collars and without epaulettes. The only insignia on the jacket appears to be an oval badge on the upper-right arm of the individual at the right-hand side. Other photographs suggest that this was embroidered cloth, bearing the system title and an employee number.
A rare photograph of a group of West Ham Tramways conductors and motormen inside a depot, possibly the new depot at Greengate Street, which was opened in 1906 – photograph undated, but probably taken in 1906 or 1907. By this time, the uniform jackets incorporated epaulettes; in the above photograph, although the majority of men have plain epaulettes, three of them bear what is almost certainly a brass, West Ham municipal-device badge (see below for an example). Author's Collection.
An enlargement of the above photograph showing two of the men. The conductor has no badges on his epaulettes, in contrast to his colleague, whose epaulettes bear the standard West Ham municipal-device badge.
A West Ham municipal-device badge — brass. This appears to have initially been worn on the jacket epaulettes, though some photos appear to shown them being worn on the jacket collars.
Author's Collection.
Another enlargement of the staff photograph above, this time showing the badge on the upper-left arm of the uniform jacket. Although not absolutely certain, this appears to bear 'WEST HAM' above an employee number, with 'TRAMWAYS' below.
A motorman at the controls of Tramcar 1A (a water car) outside Greengate Street Depot, which opened on 25th October 1906 — the photo is undated, but was probably taken not too long afterwards. The subject's collar appears to bear a badge, probably the standard West Ham municipal-device badge. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to Eddie Dawes.
A motorman at the controls of Tramcar No 11 on Service 63 to Aldgate, which was introduced on 1st January 1913 — although the photo is undated, it was probably taken just prior to, or during, the Great War. The subject's PCO licence badge is almost certainly a 'Mechanical Power' type. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to Colin Withey.
A conductor on the platform of Tramcar No 68 on Service 63 to Ilford — photo undated, but probably taken in the early 1930s given that No 68 was new in 1931. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to Colin Withey.
A motorman at the controls of Tramcar No 33 in Canning Town on 21st August 1933. Although this shot was taken some 8 weeks after ownership of the system had passed to the London Passenger Transport Board, the subject is still wearing a West Ham Corporation Tramways uniform. Photo by M J O'Connor, courtesy of the National Tramway Museum. 
Another M J O'Connor photograph taken in 1933, just after the LPTB takeover, showing a motorman at the controls of Tramcar No 20 on Service No 6 to Stratford. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to Colin Withey.
Senior staff
An inspector (right) poses for the camera with what is evidently a brand new 1-50 series tramcar — photo undated, but very probably taken in 1904. The inspector is wearing a very elaborate jacket, which probably carries embroidered 'Inspector' badges on the stand-up collars. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to Colin Withey.
A group of tramway staff captured at a tram stop, alongside which is Tramcar No 90 (on Service 10 - Inner Circle) — photo undated, but probably taken in the late 1920s. The figure in the centre, as well the individual second from left, both of whom appear to be wearing gabardine-style overcoats, are more than likely inspectors or regulators. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to Colin Withey.