The Brigade made its first public appearance in February, although its members were as yet without their uniform's.  The venture was well supported by the clergy, with Fr. O'Gorman buying a complete set of instruments for the band at a cost of £17.  By May of the same year 56 members, this time with uniforms and accompanied by the band, took part in the annual Whitsuntide Procession in Wakefield.
 

St. Austin's Catholic Boys Brigade c. 1913

The Boy's Brigade took part in many local parades and processions, and held an annual summer camp at Stonyhurst College in Lancashire.  They were in camp there when war broke out in 1914.  Throughout the war, the Boy's Brigade was recognised as a cadet corp for the army by the Home Office.

The organisation flourished in the parish between the two World Wars.  In 1923 the St. Austin's branch won the coveted Lucas-Tooth County Association Championship Shield.

The local branch finally broke up in the early 1930's following the departure of the leader, the Rev. John Radcliffe S.J.  However, the local organisation left its members with strong memories and prepared many for their future roles in life.  Three St. Austin's ex-members or the organisation became mayors.  Jim Marsh and George Pilmer were mayors of Wakefield, while Tom Tarney became mayor of Dewsbury.

In September 1980, fourteen members of the old St. Austin's Boy's Brigade held a re-union to make a trip to their old summer camp site at Stonyhurst.  The society they were members of has been absent from the parish for over 70 years, yet its influence continues to linger on.