British Legion members at Woodstock were ahead of the field in the welfare of former servicemen and women.

Their branch was the first to be formed in Oxfordshire after the First World War, and special celebrations were held in 1961 when they reached their 40th anniversary.

A procession through the town, led by the Oxford City Band, pictured, and a rally were held to mark the occasion.

The rally was attended by the town mayor, Dr H Tothill, the Legion’s county chairman, Brig FRL Goadby, and the branch chairman, Major FG Scott.

Welcoming more than 200 guests at the rally, Alderman CH Oliver, a member of the town council, said: “The British Legion has become one of the greatest forces for good in the country and it has grown from ones such as the Woodstock group to have more than 5,000 branches and 750,000 members.”