Q WAS there a Toc H club in South Church, Bishop Auckland? What is the origin of Toc H and the saying "Dim as a Toc H lamp"? - CB Dobbing, Bishop Auckland.

A Toc H is a charitable, Christian organisation based in the UK and with branches all over the world. The organisation has its origins in the First World War and began in a house in the town of Poperinge, in Belgiun, opened by the Rev Philip Thomas Byard Clayton, an army chaplain, known as Tubby Clayton, in December 1915.

Known as Talbot House, in memory of Lieutenant Gilbert WL Talbot, the house provided comforts for men going to and from the battle lines. Soldiers were encouraged to mingle and make friends regardless of rank, and men with differing experiences and cultural backgrounds gained a deeper understanding of each other.

When the war was over, some soldiers, with the encouragement of Clayton, set up residential houses across Britain that recreated the atmosphere of Talbot House and later women also came to be involved.

During the war, Talbot House was known by the initials TH and in the telephone signallers' codes of the time TH was Toc H. Toc H's aims are concerned with friendship, service, fairmindedness and an acknowledgement of mans' spiritual nature.

In 1922 Tubby Clayton became the Vicar of All Hallows in London and could no longer be so actively involved in the day-to-day administration of his fledgling organisation. However, he became a passionate ambassador for the movement and travelled around the world establishing Toc H groups in many countries.

The phrase "Dim as a Toc H lamp" refers to a lamp that is kept in Talbot House and which has become a symbol of the Toc H movement. It was known as the "lamp of maintenance" and was used by Tubby Clayton in the house. Every year, on the anniversary of Tubby Clayton's birthday, December 12, lamps are lit in Toc H branches throughout the world. The Toc H lamp is an oil lamp which glows dimly, therefore giving rise to the phrase you mention.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to confirm the existence of a Toc H branch at South Church. If there are any readers who remember a club in South Church, please write to me at Burning Questions.

If you have a Burning Question, or can improve on the answer above, please write to Burning Questions, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF or e-mail david.simpson@nne.co.uk

Published: 09/06/2003