GWR uniform colours

by Steve Daly

Station Master in 1900s attire

Photo from Mikkel Kjartan's Collection

On this page Steve Daly summarizes the major trends and changes in GWR uniform colours and styles – with an emphasis on the early years when the basic features were established. The information is based on J. N. Slinn's Great Western Way from the HMRS.

A few photos are provided here, but the best sources of photographic reference are the various published line histories, which often include group photos of GWR station staff etc. Online photos of GWR uniforms are rather rare, but you might want to have a look at Signalling People.

Overview of GWR uniform trends
1838	All uniform coat colours	Dark rifle green edged with scarlet Gilt buttons
	Guards	Frock coats & waistcoats with the letters "GWR" on the fall of the collar
	Porters	Sleeved jackets with an armband carrying their number in red surrounded by the company name
	Conductors	Worked in "mufti" with a lapel badge to indicate their role
	Engine drivers	White fustian jackets (Fustian was a hard wearing fabric of cotton mixed with flax or wool)
	All uniformed grades	Top hats of glazed beaver
	Booking Clerks & other office staff at stations	No uniform
By 1839	Porters	Green corduroy
1851	Guards	Top hats replaced by caps. Caps described as "typical Great Western", with small peaks, flat tops and stiff comparatively deep sides (sounds similar to the French kepi)
By 1852	Porters	Top hats replaced by caps. Change from green to brown corduroy (in the hope that it wouldn't show the dirt!)
1855	Engine Drivers	White fustian jackets abandoned
By 1859	Porters	Corduroy colour changed back from brown to green
By 1859	All staff (including Policemen)	All staff now wear caps
1863	Uniform colours of all grades except Porters	Uniforms changed from dark green to dark blue
1865	Station Masters	Uniform caps of the standard pattern, but of a superior cloth & a gold braided peak
1876	Porters	Sleeved waistcoats for summer wear. Corduroy coat in winter
1902	Most grades (except Station Master)	Soft caps introduced
	Guards	Serge jackets replaced frock coats
	Signalmen & Ticket Collectors	Serge jackets replaced police tunics
	Porters	Lost their numbered armbands
	Inspectors, Guards & Foremen	Grades marked on front of caps
	Station Masters	Gilt wreath around initials "GWR" on front of cap.
From 1902 onwards	All grades	Basic designs lasted till end of GWR. The cut of uniforms (incl. caps) kept pace with the changes in fashion so as not to look too old fashioned.
Date unknown (post-1902)	Porters	Uniform colour changed to Dark Blue

Webmaster's note: When painting the uniforms of GWR staff, don't forget the hints of (suitably toned down) gold or brass required in some places. Below are a few examples to illustrate this.

Station Master's "Pill Box" Cap with gilt wire GWR roundel & laurel wreath badge, gilt braid, oak leaf band and decorative knot to crown		GWR Coat Buttons as appearing after 1933. Earlier coat buttons had different styles, but the same colour effect
		Divisional Superintendents belt. This example is from Cardiff division.

Photos courtesy Talisman Auctions

A sleeved waistcoat, for a young GWR employee, obtained from Williton Station

Image courtesy of Chris Pamplin

GWR sleeved waistcoat, for a young employee

Station staff at Dulverton

Staff at Dulverton. Date unknown