For many years now Wellington has boasted its own branch of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (Moth), supporting veterans who served their country in the armed services.
It is 91 years since Moth was established in the Western Cape, on 2 March 1928, at a meeting of ex-servicemen called by Colonel Herbert Bysshe. This led to the formation of the provincial dugout (provincial management) with Bysshe as the first Old Bill (chairperson).
Currently, there are 17 shellholes (clubs) in the Western Cape – covering an area that extends coastwise from Saldanha to Hermanus, with an inland area that includes Montagu.
Moth, which was founded on 27 May 1927, a few years after the Great War (World War I) is an association of ex-servicemen and women who served their country in the armed services.
The order was founded by an extraordinary man determined to continue the spirit of mutual assistance and the lessons of fraternal support learnt in the trenches of Gallipoli and the Western Front, according to the Moth website.
It is based on concord and harmony, and operates independently of race, religion, politics or language in order to maintain the living spirit of front-line comradeship.
Moth sets itself the goal of protecting and advancing the interests of military veterans and their families, and operates as a public-benefit organisation.
London-born Charles Evenden served at Gallipoli in the Australian armed forces. After being demobbed, he settled in Durban where he worked as cartoonist on the staff of the Natal Mercury.
In 1927, at a time when memories of the sacrifices made during the Great War were beginning to dim, he saw a war film that included an impressive scene of marching troops wearing tin hats and muddy uniforms.
Looking at the scene, he wondered what had become of his comrades in the army, where they were and what they were doing.
This inspired a cartoon on “Forgetfulness of comradeship”, which was published in the Natal Mercury on 7 May 1927.
Others then came forward and after discussions with colleagues and friends, he suggested that the time was ripe to form an association of old soldiers to keep alive the memory of fallen comrades.
Remembrance Sunday is the most important date on the Moth calendar, on which the war dead are commemorated annually on the Sunday closest to 11 November. This was the date in 1918 when the armistice (peace) was declared, and also applies to commemorating the dead of subsequent wars.
Another popular Moth annual event is its national non-players bowls tournament held on the first Sunday in March.
Its golf day for which there is place for 18 teams will take place at the Wellington Golf Club on the third Thursday in September.
The Komathsu Shellhole meets every second Sunday of the month from 11:15 to 12:15 at the Wellington Bowling Club.
For more information on Moth, contact Old Bill Schalk Bruwer on 082 820 0875.
