Tzaneen: M.O.T.H. dream now a reality for Alan

‘This is a five year dream that became a reality.”

So said Alan Odendaal, the new Old Bill during the official inauguration of the Long Tom Shellhole up in Agatha on Saturday 11 May.

Tzaneen’s military veterans have their own Memorable Order of Tin Hats (M.O.T.H.) Shellhole.

The function was well attended with Shellhole representatives from all over the country. Odendaal said during the function that his dream became a reality on Saturday.

He thanked Rona and Nile McGaffin for hosting the day. ‘Rona for all your efforts and enthusiasm, thank you,” Odendaal said.

He also thanked Rodney Sabatier and Martin Froise for all their help and efforts that lead up to the day.

“To all the new M.O.T.H’s who supported each other up to now and to the Round Table from Tzaneen, thank you for your venue that you made available for us to use,” he said.

Prof Louis Changuion gave a short history on the Long Toms in our area during the war in South Africa and how they were destroyed.

“The role that the canons played in our history is remarkable. I think to call the M.O.T.H Shellhole Longtom, is very appropriate he said.

The new Executive Comittee elected are: Old Bill, Alan Odendaal, Deputy, John Anderton, Adjudant, Johan Cronje, Pay Bill, Hentie Pieterse and Sergeant Major, Sybrand Smit.

13 new M.O.T.H.’s were present and according to Odendaal about another 10 to 15 new members will join the Long Tom Shellhole M.O.T.H.’s.

During the function, M.O.T.H. Eddy Penzhorn congartulated the newly formed M.O.T.H.’s Shellhole.

“I am very proud to be at this occasion and is very impressed with the name of your Shellhole. Congratulations. We need M.O.T.H. members with spine. You are brought together to bring good for each other. We as M.O.T.H.’s are like brothers and sisters, we can never be butterflies. Live out the M.O.T.H. ideals. May your Shellhole be a long and memorable one. Have a happy journey,” Penzhorn said.

The M.O.T.H’S will act as a community service organisation. They will life out the the three MOTH ideals which are, True Comradeship, Mutual Help and Sound Memory.

Acknowledging the personal and collective obligation to help each other as in front line service and by remembering the fallen as a living companionship and to serve their memory in practical actions which rise above divisions of social status, race, or politics.

The M.O.T.H organisation is also set to protect and advance the interests of war veterans and their kin by carrying their benevolent activities of an ex-service character.

The Memorable Order of Tin Hats or the M.O.T.H. as it is more popularly known is an ex-serviceman’s organisation founded in Durban, South Africa, in May 1927 by a remarkable man Charles Alfred Evenden by name. Evenden was born in London on the 1 October 1894 and as a young man immigrated to Australia and served with the Australian forces in Gallipoli during World War I where he was wounded and evacuated to England. After returning to Australia, he was discharged from the army.

Witnessing the annual ANZAC parades, Charles Evenden turned his thoughts to the formation of an association of front line soldiers to perpetuate the comradeship gained from front line service. Later, he settled in South Africa where he worked as a cartoonist on the staff of the Mercury, a morning paper in Durban, under the pseudonym of “EVO” by which name he soon became popularly known to most people. In 1927 he saw a war film that included an impressive scene of marching troops wearing tin hats, and muddy uniforms all carrying trench equipment. Looking at the scene, it made him wonder what had become of his comrades in the army; where they were and what they were doing.

This line of thought inspired a cartoon on forgetfulness of a comradeship that had apparently ceased to exist. From this one idea other ideas came to the fore, then discussions with colleagues and friends and, eventually, the founding on the 7 May 1927 of an ex-serviceman’s organisation known as the Memorable Order of Tin Hats or simply M.O.T.H. The M.O.T.H.’s operates independently of race, religion or politics in the same way as front line service, but with full democracy.

The official launch ended with various toasts made and a sunset parade where the ‘The last Post” was played.

Many events are planned for the future and LETABA HERALD will keep you posted.