A rare Second World War and Post War Palestine group awarded to D.A. Rennison, Toch H. Christian Society, one of only 11 members of the Toch. H. on the roll for the clasp.
Defence Medal; War Medal; General Service Medal 1918-1962, GVIR 2nd type bust, 1 Clasp: Palestine 1945-48 (D.A. RENNISON).
Condition: Extremely Fine
Along with card box of issue for World War Two Medals addressed to Mr D.A. Rennison, Esq, 151 Thorn Lane, Bingley Road, Heaton, Bradford, Yorkshire and card box of issue for GSM Palestine
D.A. Rennison saw service during the Second World War before later being present during the Jewish Revolt in Palestine being just 1 of 11 members of the Toch H. Christian Society to be awarded the General Service Medal with clasp Palestine 1945-48. He had been present at Hibbert House in Palestine during the conflict.
Toc H (also TH) is a registered charity and an international Christian movement. The name is an abbreviation for Talbot House, "Toc" signifying the letter T in the signals spelling alphabet used by the British Army in World War I. A soldiers' rest and recreation centre named Talbot House was founded in December 1915 at Poperinghe, Belgium. It aimed to promote Christianity and was named in memory of Gilbert Talbot, son of Lavinia Talbot and Edward Talbot, then Bishop of Winchester, who had been killed at Hooge in July 1915.
Today Toc H works across the UK in partnership with local charities and resident organisations to deliver services to alleviate socioeconomic disadvantage and foster community participation. Priority areas include the small communities Eveswell and Pillgwennlly in South Wales, Blackpool South Shore and Thornbury, Bradford. Toc H continues to support various traditional membership-based branches, including Denny, Saltburn-by-the-Sea and Looe. In December 2024 Toc H secured £300,000 from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Community Ownership Fund to renovate Eveswell Community Centre in Newport, Wales.
The founders were Gilbert's elder brother Neville Talbot, then a senior army chaplain, and the Reverend Philip Thomas Byard (Tubby) Clayton. Talbot House was styled as an "Every Man's Club", where all soldiers were welcome, regardless of rank.It was "an alternative for the 'debauched' recreational life of the town".In 1920, Clayton founded a Christian youth centre in London, also called Toc H, which developed into an interdenominational association for Christian social service. The original building at Poperinghe has been maintained and redeveloped as a museum and tourist venue. Branches of Toc H were established in many countries around the world. An Australian branch was formed in Victoria in 1925 by the heretical Rev. Herbert Hayes. Another was formed in Adelaide the same year.
Toc H members seek to ease the burdens of others through acts of service. They also promote reconciliation and work to bring disparate sections of society together. Branches may organise localised activities such as hospital visits, entertainment for the residents of care homes and organising residential holidays for special groups.
The organisation suffered a progressive decline in membership and closure of branches during the later 20th century. However, in the 21st century, Toc H trustees and staff have been working together for it to become a stronger movement still guided by the ethos of the original Talbot House.
