The Pilgrim’s Way: Talbot House in the Interwar Period by Jan Louagie MBE

(Talbot House Association, Poperinge, 2024)

This book presents a detailed account of Talbot House during the interwar years, a period often overlooked in its history. Drawing on extensive research and primary sources, Jan Louagie narrates the story through the voices of those directly involved, providing a chronological overview that highlights the building's significance beyond its physical structure.

The book is rich in anecdotes and stories, complemented by numerous photographs and illustrations throughout the text. Additional information is available in detailed footnotes, and the appendices include a selection of original documents, offering further context for readers.

“Every Man’s Club”

During the First World War, the town of Poperinge, located behind the Ypres Salient, became a key hub for the British Army. On 11 December 1915, Army Chaplains Philip “Tubby” Clayton and Neville Talbot opened an “Every Man’s Club” in the town. Known as Talbot House, this club offered soldiers of all ranks a place for wholesome recreation and respite from the horrors of war.

After the war, the house was returned to its original owner, Maurice Coevoet, and the surviving soldiers resumed their lives. However, many who had experienced the camaraderie of Talbot House sought to preserve its spirit in peacetime. This led to the establishment of Toc H houses in cities across the UK and throughout the British Empire, creating a network of communities dedicated to fellowship and service.

During the 1920s, Toc H organised pilgrimages to the Western Front, and Talbot House became a focal point for many visitors. Despite challenges posed by the frequent visits, the house was eventually saved from sale thanks to the intervention of philanthropist Sir Charles Wakefield. Wakefield purchased the property and gifted it to the Toc H movement, ensuring its preservation as a site of remembrance.

Restoration and pilgrimages

A non-profit organisation was established to manage Talbot House under Belgian law, chaired by Major Paul Slessor. Slessor oversaw the restoration of the house, including the return of original furnishings, the creation of bedrooms, and the establishment of a garden in collaboration with Imperial War Graves Commission staff. The addition of a bathhouse, nicknamed the “Slessorium,” further enhanced the facilities.

The house reopened on Easter Day 1931, with a ceremony attended by Toc H members from around the world, including veterans of the Great War. British Movietone News captured the event, and it was later shown in UK cinemas.

From then until 1939, Talbot House hosted regular Toc H pilgrimages, with thousands of visitors signing the guestbook each year. By the outbreak of the Second World War, over 240 organised pilgrimages had taken place, and the house had become a significant symbol of peace and reconciliation.

Conclusion

With its concise 94 pages, The Pilgrim’s Way: Talbot House in the Interwar Period provides an engaging and well-researched exploration of this unique chapter in the house's history. Jan Louagie, Honorary Secretary of the Talbot House Association for over four decades, combines his deep knowledge and passion for the subject to deliver a work that is both informative and accessible.

This book serves as an excellent resource for those interested in the legacy of Talbot House, the history of Toc H, or the broader context of remembrance and reconciliation in the years following the First World War.

Other books by Jan Louagie MBE:

 

The Talbotousians return! Toc H Pilgrims at Ypres station, with Tubby (far right) and Miss Alison Macfie, former nurse and founder of the ‘Toc H League of Women Helpers’ (far left). Standing up are Arthur Pettifer, Tubby’s former batman (left), and Major Paul Slessor, the first President of the Talbot House Association (right).


After the war, the local owners moved back into the House. Pilgrims, like these here in 1926, would often plead to get access.


The re-opening of Talbot House on Easter Monday 1931. The procession stood before the big white doors of the Old House. Lord Wakefield quietly and simply unveiled a tablet on the wall recording the re-opening and expressed the hope that the undertaking might be truly blessed. Tubby is looking on on the right.