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When people entered the workhouse they had a bath and were issued with a complete set of clothes, both underwear and outerwear. It was not called a uniform, but probably everything looked similar in design. Pictures of workhouse interiors often show rows of women in identical aprons, shawls and bonnets, and men in dark-coloured jackets and trousers, the usual dress of the period.
Uniforms were worn by some of the staff, which is probably where the buttons found on the site came from.
Abingdon workhouse records show lists of clothing 'in store' in 1914.
For men and boys these include:
coats & jackets
trousers & shirts
shoes & stockings
hats and boys' caps
handkerchiefs
flannels
slippers
braces
collars
laces
For women and girls these include:
gowns & frocks
under- and upper-petticoats
shifts & stays
aprons & pinafores
handkerchiefs
shoes & stockings
caps, hats & bonnets
flannels
shawls
nightgowns
However, the 'Materials in store' list includes a wide range of fabrics, including Forfar, Union check, worsted, lindsey, shirting, calico, flannel, Holland, cotton, serge, drill, lining, muslin, jean, dress stuff, and flannelette, as well as thread, haberdashery, filletting and buttons.
It looks as though the inmates (i.e. the women and girls) were employed in making most of the clothes. The list also includes knitting wool and knitting cotton.
In addition, the stores held blankets and quilts, sheeting, towelling, bed check, ticking, waterproof sheets and shrouding. Information courtesy of Berkshire Records Office.
This button was found in the garden of 3 Abbott Road. It is probably from a workhouse staff uniform and is approximately 16mm diameter.
The inscription PRO BONO PUBLICO is Latin and means 'For the public good'. It was also widely used on tokens issued to inmates in some workhouses in return for work they carried out. They could be traded for small luxuries within the workhouse.
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