![]() ![]() Both the driver and conductor had two enameled badges, worn on the left breast. Conductors had two belts over their shoulders, crossing front and rear, to carry their dark brown leather change pouch and a metal plate on which they clipped their silver and grey ticket machine. Women conductors often wore trousers as part of their uniform from the mid 1930s. Female conductors appeared during the First World War, they initially had a distinctive uniform but the jacket changed to match the male conductors in the 1920s. Bus drivers sometimes took off their jacket in warm weather and often did not wear their uniform cap when driving but the conductors usually wore them. Some companies issued a fawn, very occasionally light grey, jacket for their conductors (I never saw a driver wearing one) made of a light cotton material for summer duty. In the 1920s there was apparently a shift to a flat military style cap and a jacket with lapels. Most companies opted for a dark blue uniform, up to about 1920 most men seem to have been issued with a small brimless hat with a leather peak at the front and a tunic that buttoned up to the neck (sensible enough in cold weather). Buses and trams had a crew of two, the driver (often separated from the passengers in his own compartment) and the conductor (who's job it was to sell tickets). By the 1990s the dress uniform was supplimented by hi-vis yellow jackets and most staff for a standard business suit when providing security for 'corporate' customers, the Commissionaire uniform is most frequently used these days by staff providing high-profile security for corporate events and special occasions.īus and tram companies had inspectors who might be seen waiting at a stop, these men wore the dark uniform of the company, usually with a gabardine raincoat over the top (even in summer as I remember it), in my neck of the woods the raincoat was dark navy blue to match the uniform. The chap(s) in the gate house of a large factory was likely to be a uniformed Commissionaire. A Commissionaire might be seen outside any more up-market establishment anywhere in the country (most top line hotels had one on the door), they also provide security for industry, notably at establishments working on defence related projects. A women's brance was set up in 1974 and up until the mid 1990s the Corps also offered a recruitment service for other security agencies. The Corps, with its distinctive dark military style uniform, is the oldest security agency in the UK and membership was reserved for former soldiers until 1969 when police, navy and air force personnel and former members of the coast guard were allowed to join. In the later 1870s the Corps extended its operations outside London and by 1900 there were about 3,000 comissionaires in service (membership peaked at over 5,000 in the later 1930s). To help the unemployed former soldiers after the Crimean War the Corps of Commissionaires was formed in 1859 by Captain Sir Edward Walter, K.C.B. As well as uniforms per se there were also a number of trades and professions which had a traditional style of dress, effectively an unofficial uniform, these are discussed separately under Shopkeepers and Street Traders. Uniforms were issued and not easy for criminals to come by so a chap in a uniform turning up at your door was almost certainly a legitimate official. ![]() After the war the uniform had been standardised as khaki, the unit being indicated by badges, the full dress uniforms were thereafter only worn for ceremonial duties such as guarding Buckingham Palace.įrom about the 1850's to the 1970's there were many uniforms to be seen on the streets, being issued with a uniform meant you did not need to buy working clothing and for many the uniform formed an important part of their wage. Prior to 1917 the British forces all wore distinctive uniforms that indicated their unit, the 'dress' uniform was worn when 'walking out' (ie on the street). The Post Office and Telephone Company liveries are discussed in Appendix One - Postal, Telegraph and Telephone Services. Note - Police, fire brigade and Ambulance uniforms are considered separately in Appendix One - Emergency Services. Civilian Uniforms Return to Appendix One Index ![]()
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