MOTH Crater Shellhole (1928) and the Sound Memory Cottages-Witbank have responded to the recent articles in the WITBANK NEWS regarding the condition of the Old Witbank Cemetery on the corner of Remembrance Avenue and Lukin Street.
Friends of the MOTH, Clive and Lorraine Hatch decided to investigate the condition of the graves of the World War 2 veterans who although not killed in action died and were buried in the cemetery. They were shocked to see the condition of the cemetery and the graves of these fallen soldiers. During the course of their visit they also came across the grave of Cpl Neville Beechey who was killed in action in Angola in October 1975.
On hearing about the condition of these graves MOTH Crater Shellhole (1928) approached the management of the Sound Memory Cottages-Witbank to assist with the restoration of the graves. They took immediate action to clean the first seven graves that are together in a row. The restoration involved removing the burnt grass and weeds around the graves, laying heavy plastic around the graves and then sealing and varnishing the slate on top of the graves as well as painting the sides of the grave.
The military graves were recently cleaned at Old Witbank Cemetery.
The members of Crater Shellhole (1928) would like to recognise the effort of Mr Orphrey Mabaso who assisted in the restoration as well as MOTH Jakes Jacobs for his donation towards this project.
On further investigation it was noted that Cpl Beechey’s name did not appear on the cenotaph in the MOTH Retirement Village. This matter was rectified at a small service at the cottages on Sunday September 4.
This project of restoring the graves as putting into action the MOTH three ideals of Sound Memory, True Comradeship and Mutual Help. Members of Crater (1928) will be joining in the community project on Heritage Day, Saturday September 24 when the hope to complete the restoration of the remaining eight military graves.
The annual MOTH Poppy Day will this year be held on Saturday November 12 where the MOTHS will hold their annual collection in the various malls in eMalahleni. All members of the public are invited to participate in this project by collecting their poppies at one of the MOTH collections points, full details will be published closer to the time. The proceeds from this collection are used to fulfil the three MOTH ideals Sound Memory, True Comradeship and Mutual Help.
The annual Armistice Day parade will take place on Sunday November 13 at the MOTH Retirement Village in Remembrance Avenue. All members of the public are invited to attend.
