Toc H

[danuslave]

Hi all

When I was young (a good while ago) a phrase that was in common use was 'as dim as a Toc H lamp'

Does anyone know why Toc H lamps were regarded as being dim?

Linda

[a Dickson gran'chile]

TocH was a charity, similar to the Salvation Army. It set up various troop facilities in WW1. If these were near the front line, then the outside lamp was very dim for safety reasons. Hence the saying.

There used to be - maybe still is - a 'Toc H' establishment somewhere near 'All Hallows by the Tower' (London England) that had a very dim lamp above the door: I took this to be a symbol of the organisation.

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/27/messages/64.html

i think part of the Toc H ethos is that acts of kindness/charity should be done quietly without fuss or desire for approbation....shining a bright light might be inappropriate.

[danuslave]

If these were near the front line, then the outside lamp was very dim for safety reasons.

That makes a lot of sense - thanks

[Moonbrand]

Sorry but the Toc H lamps weren't introduced until the 1920s so there is no connection with the frontline. I've always believed the expression arose simply because the lamps were dim being based on a simple oil lamp design used by early Christians in the catacombs under Rome.

[silvertourist]

all very interesting as I too am a Dickson. Great uncle Brian was the brother of my grandfather Ian who was a Doctor and Lord Mayor of Norwich. John Dunbar Dickson married Emily Carson whose brother Tom was a real character and was a wild west Cowboy. John's father was Henry Heron Dickson . I think his parents died in a coach crash when he was a child.

[a Dickson gran'chile]

hello Silvertourist,

I don't think I can private message you until you have made a few more posts.
I expect I may have a few family photos that might interest you.  I am trying to get them into some kind of order and plan to put them on the web for family to see.

Brian was a prolific photographer, and I seem to have inherited all his albums - so it may take some time!

Merry Christmas 

[silvertourist]

yes I need to post a few more. I have a few photos as does the rest of the family. I will pm you when I have sent enough posts.

Alistair

[ricoba]

Toc H was still going here in West Oz in the 70s.My grandmother had a button on her bed to push when she needed someone,Once pressed it would activate a flashing rotating light in the window,all the people in the street knew to watch out for it.
It made her feel a lot safer.

[a Dickson gran'chile]

yes I need to post a few more. I have a few photos as does the rest of the family. I will pm you when I have sent enough posts.

Alistair

ahh - PM thing is now working for you.

Sarah