Photograph details

© Transport for London
Collection of London Transport Museum
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First World War women conductors undergo training on a B-type bus at the LGOC training school, Milman's Street, Chelsea.

Photographed by Topical Press, 1916 - 1919

Location: Milman Street, Chelsea, SW10.

Image no: H/13765

Inventory no: 1998/42750

20th Century London caption: Women conductors on a B.-type bus undergo training at the London General Omnibus Training school at Milman Street. The women, not wearing uniforms, are being shown how to change a wooden intermediate destination board. To replace the 18,000 male transport employees, from 1916 women were hired as conductors, clerks and maintenance staff, successfully building and repairing buses, trains and trams. Women conductors had to be between 21 and 35 years old, and at least 5 foot (1.52 metres) tall. Before being accepted for training, they had to pass a medical exam and an I.Q. test. Many of them had previously worked in shops or in domestic service: this was an opportunity for most to undertake more interesting, better-paid work.

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