Memorable Order of Tin Hats
History of the order
The Memorable Order of Tin Hats or the MOTH as it is more popularly known is an ex-servicemen and woman Organisation founded in Durban, South Africa, on May 1927 by a remarkable man Charles Alfred Even den by name. He was born in London on the 1st October 1894 and as a young man emigrated to Australia and served with the Australian forces at Gallipoli during World War I where he was wounded and evacuated to England. After convalescence, he returned to Australia, and was discharged from the army. Witnessing the annual ANZAC parades, Charles Even den turned his thoughts to the formation of an association of front line soldiers to perpetuate the comradeship gained from front line service. Later, he settled in South Africa where he worked as a cartoonist on the staff of the Mercury, a morning paper in Durban, under the pseudonym of “EVO” by which name he soon became popularly known to most people. In 1927 he saw a war film that included an impressive scene of marching troops wearing steel helmets (commonly called tin hats), and muddy uniforms, all carrying trench equipment. Looking at the scene, it made him wonder what had become of his comrades in the army; where they were and what they were doing. This line of thought inspired a cartoon illustrating Forgetfulness of comradeship that had apparently ceased to exist. From this one idea other ideas came to the fore, then discussions with colleagues and friends and, eventually, the founding on the 7th May 1927 of an ex-service organisation known as the Memorable Order of Tin Hats or simply MOTH.
items of the MOTH
The MOTH Prayer
In proud thanksgiving let us remember our departed brethren.
They shall grow not old as we who are left grow old,
age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
They shall grow not old as we who are left grow old,
age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
Poem written by Lawrence Binyon, named “For The Fallen
No little child will ever starve or suffer needless pain,
The aged will live their twilight years in sunshine, not in rain,
The crippled we will help to walk, the blind we’ll help to see,
The wonders of God’s handiwork in all its majesty.
To feed, to clothe, to build again, where hopes should shattered be,
This is the crowning MOTH ideal, to help humanity.
The aged will live their twilight years in sunshine, not in rain,
The crippled we will help to walk, the blind we’ll help to see,
The wonders of God’s handiwork in all its majesty.
To feed, to clothe, to build again, where hopes should shattered be,
This is the crowning MOTH ideal, to help humanity.