A Programme to celebrate the Coming of Age of Toc H
The Programme will include a message from His MAJESTY THE KING
Spoken by H.R.H. the DUKE OF KENT, K.G., and specially recorded at the ceremony of the Lighting of the Lamps of Maintenance at the Crystal Palace on Saturday, June 27.
In July, 1915, a young British Officer, Gilbert Talbot, was killed in action in Flanders, and in his memory a rest-house for all ranks serving in the Ypres Salient was opened in December at Poperinghe; it was called Talbot House, and it became known as Toc H, because that was the way the signallers would pronounce the initials of Talbot House... So began a fellowship that was to spread all over the world.
At the famous church of All Hallows by the Tower, of which Tubby Clayton, padre in charge of Toc H in 1915, is vicar, in a casket in the Lady Chapel reposes the first Lamp of Maintenance that was given in 1922 by King Edward VIII, then Prince of Wales. Lighted by him fourteen years ago, it has never gone out.
Last night the twenty-first anniversary of Toc H was celebrated at the Crystal Palace, and today, by means of voices and records, listeners are to hear how this great fellowship started in the Salient where no man's life was safe ; what it stands for and what it is doing ; and how it has grown beyond the imagination of its founders. Listeners will hear the King's message that was given by the Duke of Kent last night, and the programme will end with the Ceremony of the Lamp.