M.O.T.H.S.
Memorable Order of Tin Hats (M.O.T.H.)
Having recognised that ex-servicemen and women missed the comradeship they had known in wartime and operations when living 'under fire', Charles Alfred Evenden (Moth O), founded the Organisation known as the Memorable Order of Tin Hats on 7 May 1927.
Since the main purpose of the Order was to aid and assist each other, the acronyms (ideals) True Comradeship (TC), Mutual Help (MH), and Sound Memory (SM) were adopted and inscribed on large discs placed on the 'top table' at meetings.
Broadly spoken the MOTH Constitution describes the Order as an independent brotherhood of ex-servicemen and women as well as serving men and women whose membership is confined to those who served or currently serve their country in the armed services in an active theatre of operations.
The Organisation comprise of a General Headquarters in Durban, Provincial Headquarters known as Provincial Dugouts, with the latter arranged in units called Shellholes. Each Shellhole is administered by an elected executive comprising of an Old Bill (Chairman), Wee Bill, Pay Bill (Finances), and an Adjutant. This executive is assisted by other non-executive officers such as Sergeant Major, Play Bill, etc. The running of a Shellhole is strictly in accordance with the Constitutional prescripts.
The MOTHS own numerous administrative buildings, live-in cottages, frail care units, etc. for the benefit of these old war veterans which they must administer, maintain and finance themselves as no assistance or subsidies are received from the government of elsewhere.
The Shellhole in Jeffreys Bay is named Flak Shellhole with approximately 30 members. Meetings take place the first Thursday evening of every month (except January) at 18h00 for 19h00 at Jeffreys Bay Bowling Club.
by Lynette Marx
Sunday, 2 June 2002, will be remembered as a very memorable day as it was the 75th anniversary of the commemoration of the establishment of the organisation of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (MOTH) in South Africa. This was celebrated in style in the Kouga region.
The three Kouga Shellholes, Thaart van der Walt (Humansdorp), Leighton Hullett (St Franscis Bay) and the Flak Shellhole of Jeffreys Bay joined forces, not only to celebrate such a momentous occasion, but to pay an honorary tribute to their fallen comrades. A very appropriate venue, the Garden of Remembrance, in Jeffreys Bay was chosen for the occasion.
A hand-painted mural depicting the sounding of The Last Post, as well as the Reveille - the wake-up call to duty with the dawning of the new day - was painted in black on muted tones of autumn by very well known local artist Steven Bibb. This unique backdrop is surely unparalleled in beauty as far as MOTH venues in South Africa are concerned.
One could sense that electric enthusiasm reminiscent of the excitement evoked by the first call to fight for King and Country. The twittering amongst the men to finalise their arrangements, was quite a revelation!
Inclement weather proved to be no deterrent to the three contingents of members of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats, when they gathered for the first session of the Commemoration. Chaplain Freddie Coetzee read from Ecclesiastics 3. This was followed by the ever heart rending Last Post rendered faultlessly by trumpeter Hendry Britz. The it was time for the Reville - the wake-up call for the future to be prepared.
The whole procedure smacked of an age of an order long past. It was reminiscent of an age where discipline, dignity and respect for human life still held sway? Not really, more like "Gone are the days and no more of those days." An aura of sadness prevailed. Was it the absence of old comrades now deceased or the absence of new younger members taking its toll of the depleting ranks?
The military ritual at Jeffreys Bay was followed by the final act in Humansdorp. There the hall looked beautiful with floral arrangements of our very own Fynbos. As the MOTH did their share of the proceedings impeccably, so did the MOTHWA'S to perfection. Great praise is due. The convivial atmosphere which prevailed was one of camaraderie. Yes, they had indeed much to share.
It was a privilege to have been a guest and to share. Well done each and every one!
We do not know what the future holds but we do know WHO holds the future.
