LEN Launchbury devoted his life to the Scout movement.

He had 58 years’ unbroken service with the 4th Oxford troop, based in St Ebbe’s.

He joined the group in 1910 – two years after its formation and three years after Robert Baden Powell founded the Scouts.

He was still involved as Group Scoutmaster when he died aged 70 in 1968.

He also served as District Scout Commissioner for six years and when he stepped down in 1960, fellow Scouts made him the subject of a take-off of the popular TV programme This Is Your Life.

As a 15-year-old, Len became the first apprentice mechanic to be employed by Morris Motors, at a wage of 2s 6d a week, and worked in the Cowley car industry all his working life.

But it was Scouting that was to dominate his life.

He guided hundreds of boys in the 4th Oxford and won many awards for his work, among them the Medal of Merit, Silver Acorn and the Long Service Decoration.

Paying tribute to him at his funeral, his successor, Fred Cattell, said: “His service was one of quiet, steady devotion and of fine principles. He was a natural leader.”

The 4th Oxford originally met in Friars Entry, then above the Swan pub at Osney, which the Scouts apparently entered by rope ladder, and later in Beef Lane, off St Aldate’s, which disappeared under a Pembroke College redevelopment scheme.

The picture, sent in by George Springall, of Staunton Road, Headington, was taken at the Forum Restaurant, in High Street, when Len retired as District Commissioner.

The occasion was a commemoration dinner, an annual event held as near as possible to Baden Powell’s birthday, February 22. Lady Baden Powell was the guest of honour that year.

Mr Springall writes: “I first remember the dinners in the Cadena in Cornmarket and then at the Forum. Later, they became less frequent and were held at various locations.”