Union suits were definitley not a British garment as they were widely manuractured by Hanes, an American company. We only know of them here through cartoon shorts, I'm vaguely remembering Yosemite Sam in one, or some other character.

I have a friend who works in the costume dept of the V&A, but as he had a heart attack last week, I'll leave off picking his brain for now, poor lad. He would most def know though.

PS, the journal colour is kinda impossible to read