All Hallows-by-the-Tower & the Memorial to Lt Alfred Henry Forster

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All Hallows-by-the-Tower is the oldest church within the "City" of London.

Founded in 675, it contains inside a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon arch with recycled Roman tiles.

The Church was heavily bombed during the Second World War and partially rebuilt during the 1950's.

The incredible crypt and its chapels survived and are in themselves well worth a visit.

The church also contains a wide and varied selection of War Memorials but the highlight has to be the incredible effigy to Lt Alfred Henry Forster.

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One of the Crypt Chapels :-

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Great War Memorials:-

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[Pighills]

Lovely church, one if my favourites.

Taken from http://www.allhallowsbythetower.org.uk/visiting/virtual-tour/j--effigy-of-tubby-clayton/

Effigy of Tubby ClaytonThe effigy of the Rev'd Philip Thomas Byard Clayton (popularly known as 'Tubby') is one of the last works by Cecil Thomas, the ‘soldier sculptor’, who also made the Forster Memorial in the south aisle of the church. Tubby's dog sits on a tasselled cushion at his feet and the effigy is supported by four lion cubs, one at each corner.

Tubby was the founder Padre of Toc H. Assisted by fellow army chaplain Neville Talbot, he established Talbot House ('Toc H' in signaller's jargon), a unique rest house in Poperinge for serving soldiers near the fierce battleground of Ypres in Flanders during the First World War.

Tubby became Vicar of All Hallows in 1922 and remained here for forty years, until his retirement in 1962.

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Some WW2 Memorials

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Here is Tubby Kim:-

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This is a memorial window to the shipping & Merchant companies.

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This is the effigy to Lt Alfred Henry Forster. Such wonderful detail and so poignant. It is worth Visiting this church just for this incredible monument in my view.

[MBrockway]

Another fantastic portfolio of photos from KB - well done!

I'm sure you will all indulge me a cross-reference here to the Hooge Liquid Fire attack topic, which describes the death of Gilbert Talbot, in remembrance of whom Talbot House was established by Tubby Clayton and Neville Talbot.

See especially post #4, which includes links out to Andy's wonderful topic on Gilbert Talbot and the topic covering Tubby Clayton and Neville Talbot and the founding of Talbot House/Toc H.

The church also contains one of the earliest Toc H 'Lamps of Maintenance' in a tabernacle in the NE chapel beautifully decorated with the coats of arms of the original Toc H branches - did you get a photo of that by any chance KB?

I have a very poor copy that I took 18 months ago when I visited.

There is another Toc H lamp in the crypt.

Mark

[Seadog]

Here are some more images, the first of which is the loss of the merchant ship Royston Grange, click the image for a complete list of all those lost and the mass grave in S America

All Hallows by the Tower

https://www.flickr.com/photos/glosters/albums/72157666595055764

Norman

[MBrockway]

The church also contains one of the earliest Toc H 'Lamps of Maintenance' in a tabernacle in the NE chapel beautifully decorated with the coats of arms of the original Toc H branches - did you get a photo of that by any chance KB?

I have a very poor copy that I took 18 months ago when I visited.

There is another Toc H lamp in the crypt.

Mark

[Kitchener's Bugle]

Hi Mark, only managed to grab it from a distance:-

[KevinBattle]

KB, your photos of so many memorials do so much to bring home the poignancy of those who did not return, and the honour done to them by those that did, or were left behind.

I'm ashamed to say that for nearly 40 years I worked in the shadow of All Hallows and knew nothing of it.

Even more surprised that one of the Forster effigies was in St John's Southend, the Church my first wife and I were married in...

Truly, you do not know or appreciate what is on your own doorstep.............

[Fattyowls]

Great photos as ever KB. I walked past the church lots of times when I was working in the vicinity but I had no idea it had so much inside. Very interesting insight into Toc H from Mark too.

Pete.

[daggers]

Excellent gallery and thank you for sharing the photos.

QUOTE: 'he established Talbot House ('Toc H' in signaller's jargon)'.

In today's jargon this would of course be Tango Hotel, which does not have quite the same resonance.

D

[Kitchener's Bugle]

Thanks So much for your comments and feedback.

You summed it up when you said that sometimes you do not see what is right on your doorstep!!!

If I had the time I would go around every church in the City of London I think!