Toc-H History

During World War One, troops were passing to & fro in the area of Ypres Salient. A Reverend Phillip ‘Tubby’ Clayton was working by special request with Neville Talbot (the Bishop of Winchesters son) to set up a homely club for troops in the little Belgium town on Poperinge. 

Following the great loss of Neville’s youngest brother nearby on July 30th 1915, the house was named ‘Talbot House’ in his commemoration. 

The “Old House”  offered peace & comfort where friendships were consecrated and sad hearts renewed& cheered. A place of brotherhood & peace. The chapel in the loft was reached by ladder where crowded services & communion were held. The sign at the ladder top was ‘ABANDON RANK ALL YE WHO ENTER’. 

Talbot House, Popringe Belgium.

Talbot House, Popringe Belgium. Source

Rev 'Tubby' Clayton

After the war, Tubby Clayton decided to recapture the spirit of great comradeship between men of all walks of life tha thad visited Talbot House. He too the initials of the house and used the army signalling ‘TOC’ which represents ‘T’ to create the TOC H movement which now has projects world wide. 

Tubby came to Derby to a Tommy Russel who had contacted a master at a Derby schooll who had also been to the “Old House”. 

Toc H in Derby was formed in 1922 and grew very strong. The first boys camp was held at Allestree in 1924 and has continued annually (with the exception of the world war years).