The emblem of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats is a trin hat surmounted by a lighted candle, flanked by reversed cross rifles, and surrounded by twelve stars.

A Brief History of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (MOTH)

In 1927 a film called Roses of Picardy was screened at a Durban cinema.  The British-born cartoonist of the Natal Mercury, Charles Evenden ("Evo), had served in Europe and he came away from the war film wondering what had become of all the men he had known. He drew a cartoon depicting "forgetfulness".

In his autobiography Evo writes: "The tin hat was the most symbolic item of the war and into my mind's eye came a capsized tin hat like a capsized lifeboat. Improving on that I thought of a waterlogged tin hat sinking away into a sea of forgetfulness. Comradeship fading out, and in the background the lonesome figure of a Fallen Soldier".

From this symbolism Evo conceived the idea of a brotherhood of old soldiers. It's name the Memorable Order of Tin Hats, (MOTH) society, founded on the 7th May 1927, within which former comrades-in-arms could meet and remember together.

The MOTH ideals have become a way of life for thousands of ex-servicemen and women throughout South Africa.  From conception, the idea spread like wildfire, recruitment went ahead at a tremendous pace, and soon "Shellholes" were formed throughout the country.

The "Shellholes" grouped into Districts, the Districts into Provincial "Dugouts" and all answered to a Head Quarter body based in Durban. The HQ is based at Warriors Gate, the MOTH Shrine.
Charles Evenden's original cartoon that led to the founding of the Order. In the foreground an upturned Tin Hat sinking into a sea of forgetfulness and in the background, the fading image of a soldier.Text Box: I expect to pass this way but once; Any good therefore that I can do, Or any kindness that I can show to Any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me nor defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.

MOTH

The Memorable Order of Tin Hats is a Non-Political and Non-Sectarian organisation of Serving and Ex-Servicemen and women who have had service in an active theatre of war.  This includes the SWA/Namibia Border war.  The founding ideals of Sound Memory, True Comradeship, and Mutual Help remain to this day.

Shellholes

Today the MOTH Order has 204 Shellholes and 6,300 members. This excludes members in the U.K., Zimbabwe and Namibia Commands. About 61% of today's MOTH members are between 40 and 70 years of age. With current vigorous recruiting, "younger" Moths are growing in number; this initiative will ensure that the Order will still be in place for our 100th anniversary in 2027.
Steel Helmet Shellhole is a unit of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (MOTH) situated on the corner of 2nd Avenue and 16th Street in Parkhurst, Johannesburg, South Africa.Contact pboberg@lantic.net

Welcome to the Moths
A caricature of the founder of thje MOTH Order, Charles Evenden - MOTH 0. General Jan Smuts became MOTH 1.

The Memorable Order of Tin Hats

True Comradeship, Mutual Help

and Sound Memory
MOTH Steel Helmet Shellhole