Enlargement showing John May Clarke.

Thanks to Rob Bolton, Archivist, The Church Lads’ & Church Girls’ Brigade, January 2013 for providing all the following information and also the emblem at the end: 'The Photo you have is of members of ‘The London Diocesan Church Lads’ Brigade’ formed in 1891 at the same time as the ‘Church Lads’ Brigade’.

'The two organisations merged operations in 1917 and formally united in 1936. At the time the photo was taken there would have been about 8,000 members (aged 13 – 20) in the London Area in about 16 Battalions.'

'The Lads on the photo are wearing the typical full tunic uniform worn prior to 1914, in some cases a few years after that date. Activities did include Rifle-Shooting, but the rifles they have in the photo are the Martini-Enfield’s used for regular Drill etc.'

'There are some good pics on the Church Lads' and Church Girls' Brigade (CLCGB) website of the Eastbourne Redoubt, a place where the London Diocesan CLB went for their Annual Camp Each Year prior to WW1.'

'In 1911, along with the CLB, the LDCLB joined the ‘Territorial Cadet Force’ and were part of the military set-up of the country prior to War.'

'Like the CLB the LDCLB were connected to Anglican Churches only. Often confused with the Boys’ Brigade which is Interdenominational.'

'For a while they were known as the ‘Church Cadet Brigade’, which again is a bit confusing.'

'Our Records (for the year 1900) show that the Company in Brentford, was based at St George, Old Brentford. They were part of the 14th Battalion and were ‘Company ‘C’. Formed in March 1895. They met on Tuesday evenings at 8.00 p.m. in the Church Rooms on High Street.'

If you can add any names please get in touch.