These were the men who defended part of West Oxford during the Second World War.

They were the Osney platoon of the 6th Oxford Home Guard D Company.

They served from 1940 when the Home Guard was formed and it is believed the picture was taken in 1944 when the unit stood down.

The picture comes from John Lowe, of Kidlington.

He and his brother, Philip, have identified 11 of the men, including their grandfather, Corporal Albert Corbey, and would like help in naming the others.

Their main task was to protect the electricity sub- station in Ferry Hinksey Road from sabotage.

Although the Thames ran through their ‘patch’, protection of the river was the responsibility of the Home Guard’s Upper Thames Patrol.

The Home Guard began life as the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV), a part-time force designed to help protect Britain from possible German invasion.

Within two months of a radio appeal by the Government in May 1940, more than a million volunteers had come forward.

They included farm workers, bakers, teachers, grocers, bank staff and railway workers, whose daytime jobs were essential to keep the country running, and those too young or too old to join the regular Army.

The name was changed to the Home Guard in July 1940 and its members went on to do valuable work defending their local communities.

No-one expected them to beat well-trained German soldiers – their task was to slow them down until the Army arrived.

Can anyone supply any more names to the picture?