In 1927, a Brakpan ex-serviceman on holiday in Durban met a journalist who was considering the start of a movement to bring ex-soldiers together to rekindle the spirit of comradeship experienced in World War One.
The result of Joe Freel’s conversation with Charles Evenden was the start of the Moth movement in Brakpan, which is now celebrating 90 memorable years.
The first thing Joe did was to contact as many former servicemen as possible and, in September 1927, a meeting was held at the Station Hotel.
In December another meeting was held and a decision was taken to start the Brakpan shellhole.
An Old Bill, Dr J Joubert, was elected and three women were among the early members – the start of the Mothwas (Memorable Order of Tin Hats Women’s Auxiliary).
Meetings were held at various venues in Brakpan and at one such gathering someone happened to comment that “this is a cosy corner”.
This was adopted as the name for the shellhole.
Meetings were popular and enthusiasm made up for small numbers, with ex-servicemen only too glad to get together and share their memories of the war years.
Negotiations were held with the council and a Garden of Remembrance was opened on Armistice Day, November 11, 1936, at Hosking Park.
Funds were raised by the Moths and the community for the building of a cenotaph in the garden.
The cenotaph, reflecting the names of those young men and women from Brakpan who had given their lives in war, was unveiled at the Armistice Day service in 1946.
The Moths held two services at the cenotaph each year – one to commemorate the battle of Dellville Wood in World War One and one on Armistice Day.
During World War Two, members felt the men returning home deserved a better deal than they themselves had experienced.
They embarked on a fund-raising campaign and when they learned that a demobilisation scheme was providing for the needs of returning soldiers, the money was put towards building a permanent home for the shellhole.
The site in Brenthurst was decided upon and construction of the Cosy Corner Shellhole was started in 1956.
The shellhole’s members, many of whom were doctors, attorneys and prominent businessmen, worked weekends and built their club with their own hands.
In 1971, six cottages were built to house ex-servicemen pensioners.
Three more were constructed in 1985 and a further four a year later.
In October 1990, six flats for single people were completed.
The shellhole also provided a community hall and recreational facilities.
Cosy Corner is proud of the fact that several of its members have been mayors of Brakpan.
They were WMC Smyly, J Freel, DW Summerson, EW Bower, JM Vining, DJ van der Bijl and G Kalk.
The property is still, however, very much a reminder of all those who gave their lives in the cause of freedom, with a remembrance garden and plaques honouring the memories of Moths who died.
A Crusader tank and a field gun, which stand on the property, are grim reminders of the war years and the sacrifice of thousands of South Africans.
Another reminder is located at the main entrance to the hall – the photos of almost every serviceman from Brakpan who gave his life in World War Two.
Cosy Corner Shellhole can be proud of its service to the Moth order in Brakpan.
It has strongly adhered to the ideals of true comradeship, mutual help and sound memory, and has been an integral part of the history of Brakpan.
(Compiled from information supplied by Joe Borain)
Also read: Cosy Corner marks its 90th anniversary
Moths commemorate Founder’s Day (1)
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