JUDGING by the number of trophies at the front, it had clearly been a successful year for these members of the Boys’ Brigade.

The picture, supplied by reader Trevor Boswell, arrived at Newspaper House with just a one-line caption – 1st Oxford Boys’ Brigade (about 1947).

No names were supplied, and no further details given.

But we instantly recognised one figure in the picture – the clergyman in the centre of the front row, sitting behind the big shield.

He is the unmistakable Canon David Stather Hunt, whose name is forever linked with the Boys’ Brigade in Oxford and further afield.

And if we are not mistaken, the picture looks as if it was taken at his church, St Matthew’s, in South Oxford, where he was vicar for many years.

Canon Stather Hunt also appeared in the picture of the Boys’ Brigade annual parade and service at Banbury in 1964 (Memory Lane, November 24, 2007).

He was a prominent figure in many other brigade activities over the years.

In 2008, the movement celebrated its 120th anniversary in Oxford and its 125th anniversary nationally.

It was founded on October 4, 1883, by William Smith, a Scottish Sunday School teacher and an officer of the 1st Lanark Rifle Volunteers, when he formed a company of 35 boys in Glasgow.

His idea was to create an organisation for boys, based on religion and discipline.

Initially, 59 boys joined, many of them out of curiosity, and 35 stayed.

Drill, gymnastics and games were introduced and these proved very popular.

A uniform was chosen and soon other activities were added. In 1886, the first camp was held. Today there are companies in more than 60 countries.

In Oxfordshire, companies exist in Witney, Bloxham, Kidlington, Deddington, Chipping Norton, Kings Sutton and Wallingford.

For more details, call the president, Walter Mullis, on 01295 811353.

Do you recognise anyone in the picture, and can anyone confirm where the picture was taken?