The Memorable Order of Tin Hats (M.O.T.H.) was founded in 1927 by Charles Evenden as a brotherhood of South African former front-line soldiers. The ideal is to help comrades in need, either financially or physically; and to remember all servicemen who have answered the Sunset Call, both in war and peacetime.[1][2]
According to the Dictionary of South African Biography, one night in 1927 after he and the editor of The Natal Mercury, RJ Kingston Russell, had seen a war film, Charles Evenden was persuaded to draw a cartoon on 'remembrance'. According to the Dictionary, "The cartoon showed a tin helmet surmounted by a burning candle. Around the flames of the candle were six words – True Comradeship – Mutual Help – Sound Memory".[3]
However, the official M.O.T.H. website carries a cartoon captioned Forgetfulness and this led to the founding of the Order. This is confirmed by the Eastern Province Herald which describes the cartoon as follows: "a bullet- and shrapnel-riddled Allied helmet awash in the ocean. In the background a steamship passes over the horizon, leaving the forgotten, ghostly form of a veteran forlornly wading through the water."
"The concepts of True Comradeship, Mutual Help and Sound Memory were to become the inspiration of a remarkable organisation of ex-front-line soldiers, of all ranks, known as M.O.T.H. Evenden, as the founder of the movement and its guiding inspiration was given the title of Moth O – a position he held until his death."[3]
The membership of the M.O.T.H. movement, under Evenden's vigorous direction and leadership, grew into thousands. Men and women of two world wars, of the Second Anglo Boer War (1899–1902) and even those of former enemy forces streamed into its ranks. All who were prepared to keep alive the memories of comradeship and self-sacrifice – the finer virtues that war brings forth – were welcomed and made at home in shell holes as the meeting premises are called with colourful and meaningful names of war-time memories and occasions. M.O.T.H. shell holes have been opened in Ireland, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and a Cyber shellhole for members all over the globe. Membership was also extended to those who had participated in the South African Border War.[1]
Warrior's Gate M.O.T.H. Museum of Miltaria and Moth Sanctuary, Durbanedit
The museum, located in Durban, is modelled on a Norman design from a photograph given to Evenden by Admiral Evans-of-the-Broke. The exhibits extend from the Anglo- Zulu war, 1st and 2nd Boer wars, WW1, WW2, Korean war, Vietnam war, Rhodesian war, and the SWA border war periods. Entrance is free but donations are always welcomed.
Memorialsedit
In 1948 Evenden opened Mount Memory, a monument to the missing and dead of the Second World War, in the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains. Moth are remembered on the Memorial wall, that have answered the Sunset Call. The Moth Gardens of Remembrance, accommodating the Delville Wood Weeping Cross in Pietermaritzburg. There are also numerous Moth Memorials around the country and managed by the local Moth Shellhole in that area.
Eligibility for membershipedit
In any War prior to 1939 as a member of the fighting forces, including medical or other auxiliary units of such forces. This includes all wars and campaigns in any country.[1]
In World War II and subsequent campaigns as members of the Union Defence Force outside the borders of the Union on active service.[1]
As full-time members of the Union Defence Force, in the Coastal or Coast Garrison Artillery and the South African Air Force Squadrons engaged in seaward patrols. This includes ex-members of the Radar Service and coastal crash boat crew serving with the Artillery Batteries and SAAF Squadrons mentioned above.[1]
As full-time members of the South African Naval Forces outside the Union or in the coastal defence of the Union. As members of the British or Allied Forces – air, navy or army – Great Britain or abroad.[1]
As officers or ratings in ships of the Allied Merchant Service at sea during World War I and World War II and minor campaigns. As full-time members of the Air Auxiliary Services of the Allied Forces (Such as BOAC) who served in combat areas in support of the Allied Forces in World War II.[1]
who have been directly engaged in operations anywhere in South Africa from 1 December 1983 until 2 February 1990.[1]
actively engaged in operations after 2 February 1990 until 27 April 1994.[1]
who since 1994 have received a campaign medal or clasp for military operations including peace keeping forces and operations in: Lesotho, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Mozambique and Sudan. These campaigns will be updated from time to time at GHQ meetings.[1]
"Charles Evenden". Dictionary of South African Biography. Vol. V. Human Sciences Research Council. 1987. ISBN0-7969-0420-0.
"Memorable Order of Tin Hats". Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa. Vol. 7. Nasou. 1974. ISBN0-625-00324-1.
Further readingedit
Memorable Order of Tin Hats (May 2014). M.O.T.H. Constitution and General Standing Orders(PDF). Durban: M.O.T.H. General Headquarters. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Memorable Order of Tin Hats.
Official website
January 01, 1970
memorable, order, hats, founded, 1927, charles, evenden, brotherhood, south, african, former, front, line, soldiers, ideal, help, comrades, need, either, financially, physically, remember, servicemen, have, answered, sunset, call, both, peacetime, badgeabbrevi. The Memorable Order of Tin Hats M O T H was founded in 1927 by Charles Evenden as a brotherhood of South African former front line soldiers The ideal is to help comrades in need either financially or physically and to remember all servicemen who have answered the Sunset Call both in war and peacetime 1 2 Memorable Order of Tin HatsBadgeAbbreviationM O T H Formation7 May 1927 96 years ago 1927 05 07 FounderMoth OTypeEx service organisationLegal statusCharity NPO amp NGO MESCA PurposeTrue Comradeship Mutual Help Sound MemoryHeadquartersFlame Lily Park Retirement Homes Melvern Durban South AfricaRegion servedSouth Africa and WorldwideOfficial languageEnglishM O T H National ChairmanAnders Andy BodenBoard of directorsNational Executive MembersPublicationThe Home FrontSubsidiariesM O T H Ex Servicemen s Cottage Association M O T H Women s Auxiliary Mothwa M O T H Motorcycle Association MMA AffiliationsRoyal Commonwealth Ex Services LeagueWebsitewww wbr moth wbr org wbr za Contents 1 Formation 2 Warrior s Gate M O T H Museum of Miltaria and Moth Sanctuary Durban 3 Memorials 4 Eligibility for membership 5 See also 6 Notes 7 References 8 Further reading 9 External linksFormation edit nbsp M O T H Shellhole Bloemfontein According to the Dictionary of South African Biography one night in 1927 after he and the editor of The Natal Mercury RJ Kingston Russell had seen a war film Charles Evenden was persuaded to draw a cartoon on remembrance According to the Dictionary The cartoon showed a tin helmet surmounted by a burning candle Around the flames of the candle were six words True Comradeship Mutual Help Sound Memory 3 However the official M O T H website carries a cartoon captioned Forgetfulness and this led to the founding of the Order This is confirmed by the Eastern Province Herald which describes the cartoon as follows a bullet and shrapnel riddled Allied helmet awash in the ocean In the background a steamship passes over the horizon leaving the forgotten ghostly form of a veteran forlornly wading through the water The concepts of True Comradeship Mutual Help and Sound Memory were to become the inspiration of a remarkable organisation of ex front line soldiers of all ranks known as M O T H Evenden as the founder of the movement and its guiding inspiration was given the title of Moth O a position he held until his death 3 The membership of the M O T H movement under Evenden s vigorous direction and leadership grew into thousands Men and women of two world wars of the Second Anglo Boer War 1899 1902 and even those of former enemy forces streamed into its ranks All who were prepared to keep alive the memories of comradeship and self sacrifice the finer virtues that war brings forth were welcomed and made at home in shell holes as the meeting premises are called with colourful and meaningful names of war time memories and occasions M O T H shell holes have been opened in Ireland Malawi Namibia Zambia Zimbabwe and a Cyber shellhole for members all over the globe Membership was also extended to those who had participated in the South African Border War 1 Warrior s Gate M O T H Museum of Miltaria and Moth Sanctuary Durban editThe museum located in Durban is modelled on a Norman design from a photograph given to Evenden by Admiral Evans of the Broke The exhibits extend from the Anglo Zulu war 1st and 2nd Boer wars WW1 WW2 Korean war Vietnam war Rhodesian war and the SWA border war periods Entrance is free but donations are always welcomed Memorials editIn 1948 Evenden opened Mount Memory a monument to the missing and dead of the Second World War in the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains Moth are remembered on the Memorial wall that have answered the Sunset Call The Moth Gardens of Remembrance accommodating the Delville Wood Weeping Cross in Pietermaritzburg There are also numerous Moth Memorials around the country and managed by the local Moth Shellhole in that area Eligibility for membership editIn any War prior to 1939 as a member of the fighting forces including medical or other auxiliary units of such forces This includes all wars and campaigns in any country 1 In World War II and subsequent campaigns as members of the Union Defence Force outside the borders of the Union on active service 1 As full time members of the Union Defence Force in the Coastal or Coast Garrison Artillery and the South African Air Force Squadrons engaged in seaward patrols This includes ex members of the Radar Service and coastal crash boat crew serving with the Artillery Batteries and SAAF Squadrons mentioned above 1 As full time members of the South African Naval Forces outside the Union or in the coastal defence of the Union As members of the British or Allied Forces air navy or army Great Britain or abroad 1 As officers or ratings in ships of the Allied Merchant Service at sea during World War I and World War II and minor campaigns As full time members of the Air Auxiliary Services of the Allied Forces Such as BOAC who served in combat areas in support of the Allied Forces in World War II 1 With the Underground Resistance Movements Partisan Force during World War of 1939 45 on the side of the original Allies 1 As full time servicemen or women in minor campaigns including the Korean War 1950 53 Mau Mau Uprising 1952 56 Malayan Emergency 1948 60 Cyprus Emergency 1955 59 Suez Crisis 1956 57 the Jewish insurgency in Palestine 1946 49 Aden Emergency 1964 67 Indonesia Malaysia confrontation 1962 68 or the Troubles 1969 who are in possession of the General Service Medal and or Northern Ireland Clasp 1 As members of the Rhodesian Security Forces in the Rhodesian Bush War 1 As members of the United States Armed Forces or their respective allies in the Vietnam War Yugoslav wars and the Gulf War 1 As members of the South African Police or British South Africa Police in possession of the South African Police Medal for Combating Terrorism or the Rhodesian General Service Medal 1 As contemporary South African military personnel who served in a South African Defence Force SADF operational area namely South West Africa Angola Mozambique or the South African border 1 who have been directly engaged in operations anywhere in South Africa from 1 December 1983 until 2 February 1990 1 actively engaged in operations after 2 February 1990 until 27 April 1994 1 who since 1994 have received a campaign medal or clasp for military operations including peace keeping forces and operations in Lesotho Democratic Republic of the Congo Burundi Mozambique and Sudan These campaigns will be updated from time to time at GHQ meetings 1 See also edit nbsp Society portal nbsp South Africa portal Remembrance Day Der Stahlhelm Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United StatesNotes edit a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Memorable Order of Tin Hats About Us Retrieved 29 October 2012 SESA 1974 pp 327 28 a b DSAB 1987 pp 250 51 References edit Charles Evenden Dictionary of South African Biography Vol V Human Sciences Research Council 1987 ISBN 0 7969 0420 0 Memorable Order of Tin Hats Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa Vol 7 Nasou 1974 ISBN 0 625 00324 1 Further reading editMemorable Order of Tin Hats May 2014 M O T H Constitution and General Standing Orders PDF Durban M O T H General Headquarters Retrieved 18 March 2015 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Memorable Order of Tin Hats Official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Memorable Order of Tin Hats amp oldid 1207005919, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
