GEORGE NEWS - George Outeniqua Moth Shellhole members celebrated 93 years of Mothdem in spite of lockdown conditions by means of a Virtual "Solitude " parade solemnly represented by Moth Nobby Clark in lieu of the traditional member parade attendance
The Memorable Order of Tin Hats (Moth) was founded at Durban, South Africa on 7 May 1927 and almost immediately the idea caught hold in the UK, symbolic of the great friendships which had occurred, during and after, the Great War, 1914 -1918.
The founder, Charles Evenden, more affectionately known as 'Evo' or Moth 'O', had witnessed life in the trenches and the sense of despair which swept the world after the war. Moth 'O' had a vision that REMEMBRANCE was the opposite to FORGETFULNESS.
Moth 'O' had an overpowering belief in common friendship. He once said, "Friendship is the greatest power given to man, it turns ideals into practical deeds." He saw a purpose for all veterans, mostly disabled, to band together into units, challenging the common day to day problems within Durban and the provinces.
He established clubs, known as 'shellholes' with a regional structure of 'dugouts' in each of the provinces. These terms were quite familiar to all ex-service men who not only experienced the trenches but also the camaraderie which developed among allied troops in a time of adversity.
All were familiar with the progress of Captain Bruce Bairnsfather (1888-1959), Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and his cartoon characterizations of 'Old Bill'. 'Evo' was a newspaper journalist and cartoonist himself, thus a friendship between Bairnsfather and Evenden was established.
Before 1936 Moth GHQ had been housed in an old barn at Albany Grove, Durban, more affectionately known as Chateau-de-What Ho. Moth 'O' and his dedicated staff had found land at the historical Old Fort in Durban and Warriors Gate was opened in 1937.
In 1947, the royal family, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret were invited to make a surprise visit to Warriors Gate during their royal tour of South Africa.
For more information, visit https://www.firstworldwar.com/features/
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
