Maidstone Corporation Tramways
Summary
Motormen and conductors were issued with single-breasted jackets with five buttons (bearing the corporation shield device — see link), two breast pockets (with button closures) and upright collars; the latter bore an employee number on the bearer's left-hand side, in individual numerals, and systems initials — 'M C T' — on the right-hand side, in individual letters. All insignia were brass. Caps were in a military style with a glossy peak and a tensioned crown (top); they bore a standard, 'off-the-shelf', script-lettering grade badge — either Motorman or Conductor - above which a municipal shield badge (see below) was mounted. The style of uniform remained the same for the entire life of the system, from the inauguration of electric services in 1904 through to their replacement by trolleybuses in 1930.
Tramcar crews were also issued with double-breasted greatcoats with two rows of five buttons and high, fold-over collars; the latter bore identical insignia to the jackets worn underneath, i.e., an employee number on the bearer's left-hand side and systems initials on the right.
Photographs of inspectors are yet to come to light, so it is currently unclear what uniforms they wore.
In common with the majority of UK tramways systems, Maidstone employed female staff during the Great War — both as conductresses and motorwomen — to replace male staff lost to the armed services. These ladies were issued with tailored, single-breasted jackets with five buttons, two breast pockets (with button closures) upright collars and long matching skirts; the collars carried the same insignia as the jackets worn by their male colleagues. The caps were military in style with a tensioned crown (top), though the latter appears to have been somewhat larger than the corresponding crown on the male caps. The caps carried the standard grade and municipal shield badges.
Female staff were also issued with long, double-breasted greatcoats with two rows of five buttons and high fold-over collars. They do not appear to have carried any insignia, and from the cut, may possibly have been re-purposed male issues.
For a history of Maidstone Corporation Tramways, see: 'The Tramways of Kent - Volume 1, West Kent' by Invicta; The Light Railway Transport League (1971).
Images
Motormen and conductors
Tramcar No 5 and motorman, posing for a shot which was used as a local trade card publicising 'W Smith's suits' — photo undated, but probably mid-Edwardian. The motorman is wearing a single-breasted tunic with upright collars, along with a cap bearing a script-lettering grade badge and a small Maidstone municipal device badge. Photo in the public domain.
The crew of Tramcar No 10 at the Loose terminus — photo undated, but judging by the relatively good condition of the vehicle, probably taken in the late Edwardian era. Author's Collection.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the conductor and motorman, both of whom are wearing greatcoats. The collars have an employee number on the bearer's left-hand side and individual systems initials — 'M C T' — on the right-hand side. The caps are military in style and bear a grade badge, above which is a municipal shield.
Maidstone Corporation Tramways municipal shield cap badge — brass.
'Off-the-shelf', script-lettering grade badges — 'Motorman' and 'Conductor' — of the type used by Maidstone Corporation Tramways; brass.
A commercial postcard view of a motorman on board the platform of Tramcar No 6 — photo undated, but thought to have been taken shortly before the Great War.
Motorman and conductress with Tramcar No 9 on the Barming route, probably along Tonbridge Rd — photo undated, but almost certainly taken during the Great War. Source unknown.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the motorman. His cap bears a script-lettering grade badge — 'Motorman' — and the standard municipal shield badge, whilst his right-hand collar bears system initials, ' M C T'.
Maidstone Corporation Tramways collar badges — brass. With thanks to the Stephen Howarth Collection.
An MCT motorman in double-breasted greatcoat aboard the platform of an unidentified car, in the depot yard in 1929. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
The motorman of Tramcar No 17 leans rather wearily on his dash in Loose Rd — photo undated, but almost certainly taken in the late 1920s. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
Female staff
A blow-up of the Great War shot of Tramcar No 9 above, showing the conductress.