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 of 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. Source
After the war, Tubby Clayton decided to recapture the spirit of great comradeship between men of all walks of life that 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 school 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).
At Derby Toc H Children’s Camp our volunteers continue to uphold the ethos of the Toc H founders by serving our community and providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment where friendships are formed.
In 2024 we celebrated 100 years of providing fun-packed holidays. We look forward to making the next 100 years as special!
