Moths still serving strong after 97 years of supporting veterans, communities

The sound of clinking cutlery and warm conversation filled the Siege Shellhole in Cassandra, Kimberley, on a chilly July afternoon as members of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (Moths) gathered for their annual Christmas-in-July charity lunch.

Amid the fellowship, one table setting remained untouched, a candle flickering beside an empty plate in memory of soldiers who never came home.

“That is very sacred to us,” said Herman Schwikkard, the Old Bill (leader) of the Siege Shellhole.

The Sunday roast was more than a meal. It was part of an ongoing charity drive supporting elderly residents in old age homes, people with disabilities, and children in care facilities across the region.

Supporting fellow veterans, community members for 97 years

Founded in Durban in May 1927 by Charles Alfred Evenden, the Moths have been helping fellow veterans and community members in need for 97 years. Evenden, a London-born cartoonist who served with Australian forces at Gallipoli during World War I, envisioned an organisation that would preserve the front-line camaraderie he experienced in the trenches.

Working under the pseudonym “EVO” for Durban’s Mercury newspaper, Evenden established the Order based on principles of concord and harmony, operating independently of race, religion, or politics.

Today, the spirit of service continues through practical support that extends far beyond the veteran community. The organisation’s charitable work includes funding prosthetics for soldiers who lost limbs in the South African Border War and paying for eye operations for veterans facing blindness. Their “jar of hope”, filled with a dried soup mixture sufficient to feed four people, provides emergency food assistance, while donations from local farmers allow them to distribute fresh vegetables.

“We take food donations to rest havens like old age homes, give presents to children, and help ex-servicemen or women in need,” explained Melvin Gouws, the Wee Bill (deputy leader). “Because we are a non-profit organisation, we need community support.”

The group organises monthly fundraising events throughout the year. Beyond charity work, the Moths maintain a collection at their shellhole, preserving artifacts from various conflicts to ensure military history remains accessible in future.

“We are not just a military organisation,” Gouws emphasised. “We remember the contributions of men and women in different wars. Imagine how our world would look if Germany had not been defeated in the Second World War.”

As the original ex-servicemen aged, the organisation has adapted to ensure its mission continues. A few years ago, membership opened to women, and non-veterans can join as “shellhole supporters”, taking on roles such as adjutant or Pay Bill.

First shellhole to allow women

“Our shellhole was the first to allow women, and we formed the Diamond Raiders,” Schwikkard noted. December also marks a special milestone − the Siege Shellhole’s 70th anniversary.

The Raiders visit other shellholes in friendly “raids”, fostering interaction and joint events.

The hierarchy within the Moths reflects military tradition − the Old Bill leads each shellhole, supported by Bills and Blokes, along with specialised roles like adjutant, sergeant major, and Pay Bill. The heart of the organisation remains unchanged from Evenden’s original vision: Ordinary people doing extraordinary things for their community.

As the last plates were cleared from the July charity lunch and the memorial candle was respectfully extinguished, the Moths’ commitment to service, both to fallen comrades and those still fighting life’s battles, burned as brightly as ever.

New members, both veterans and civilians, are welcome to join this organisation where remembrance meets action, and where a Sunday roast becomes a powerful statement of community care.

• The Siege Shellhole meets monthly and welcomes new members.
• For more information, contact Gouws on 083 708 0116 or write to gouwsmelvin@icloud.com.