Blackburn
Corporation Tramways
Numerous photographs clearly show tramways staff wearing
general ‘Driver’ and
‘Conductor’ script cap
badges (non-underlined variety). Early Edwardian-era
uniforms also appear to have had ‘B C T’
initials on the stiff upright collars, though these
disappeared as more modern lapels came into use.
Unusually, one photograph shows a conductress with the
same ‘B C T’ initials on her hat (below her
‘Conductor’ badge), but this was presumably
a personal touch rather than standard policy. A few
photos also show staff wearing what appears to be a
corporation ‘metal and leather’ licence
(hanging from their uniforms), though these cannot
really be made out with any degree of certainty (see
photo below). Later in the tramway’s life (1940s?)
staff also began to wear the standard Blackburn
Corporation armorial badge (see below) above their
‘Driver’ or ‘Conductor’ badges.
Recently, several examples of a ‘war service’
badge have come to light, which are probably World War I
era; however, as all the ones I’ve seen are in mint
condition, it is not clear if these badges were ever issued
to staff.
For the photos mentioned above, and many other photos of
Blackburn Corporation Tramways/Transport staff, please
visit Duncan Holden’s Blackburn Transport Net.
Cap badge - nickel (probably worn from the 1940s onwards)
War service button hole badge - most probably World War I
A group of tramway staff, wearing Driver and Conductor
script cap badges; note that the lady on the left is also
wearing what appears to be a municipal licence - with
thanks to Duncan Holden