Leyton Urban District Council / Corporation Tramways
Owner Leyton Urban District Council
Took over 1st June 1905 (Lea Bridge, Leyton and Walthamstow Tramways Co Ltd [horse]) - lines within Leyton boundary
Took over (lessee) 1st June 1905 (Lea Bridge, Leyton and Walthamstow Tramways Co Ltd [horse]) - lines outside Leyton boundary bought by London County Council
Operator Leyton Urban District Council
Took over 1st June 1906 (North Metropolitan Tramways [horse]) - lines within Leyton boundary
First electric route 1st December 1906
Taken over (operation) 1908 (London County Council Tramways - former Lea Bridge, Leyton and Walthamstow Tramways lines previously leased to LUDC
Taken over (operation/maintenance) 1st July 1921 (London County Council Tramways)
Owner's name changed 1926 to Leyton Borough Council
Taken over 1st July 1933 (London Transport)
Length 9.52 miles
Gauge 4ft 8½ins
Button description Initials 'L.B.C' within a scalloped rim
Materials known Brass
Button Line reference [None]
Comment Although I have absolutely no evidence that the above button is indeed an issue of Leyton Borough Council (Corporation) Tramways, it does seem a distinct possibility, and certainly looks to be 'tramway' on stylistic grounds. Some support for this assumption comes from the tramcar waist panel monograms which carried the initials 'L.B.C' from 1926, and 'L.U.D.C' prior to that. Clearly Leyton Council were very protective of the identity of the system - which was of course owned by them - even though operated by London County Council from 1921. I cannot however exclude the possibility that staff wore standard LCC uniforms after 1921.
Interestingly, prior to the 'LCC' days, photos clearly show staff wearing 'L.U.D.C' cap badges, which raises the possibility that they had buttons similar to that shown above, but with the initials 'L.U.D.C'.