MOTHS remember the fallen
"We could always use more support. In the current economy things have become more difficult."
The Dickie Fritz Shell Hole is one of Edenvale’s iconic landmarks.
Nestled away in a corner of Dowerglen, the shell hole is the home of Edenvale’s Memorable Order of Tin Hats (MOTHS).
Mr Ron de Roche, complex manager at the hall, said the order offers ex-servicemen like himself a place to stay and call home.
The shell hole, which was founded in 1955, was named after two Jeppe High School staff members, Dickie Dashwood and Fritz von Linsingen, who lost their lives while fighting in North Africa during World War II.
“The hall and the MOTHS exist to remember the sacrifices made by soldiers,” said Mr de Roche.
He added that having the shell hole in the area gave soldiers who served in conflict the opportunity to come together.
A key objective of the order is to ensure that soldiers who served in conflict have a place to call their own, clothes and a roof over their heads.
“It offers a sense of comradeship,” said Mr de Roche.
He said the order is built on three main pillars: having a common history, ensuring that help is given to those in need and never forgetting those who sacrificed their lives for their countries.
At the Dickie Fritz Shell Hole Mr de Roche showed the NEWS the sanctuary, a hall filled with pieces of history from various conflicts.
He said the order holds monthly meetings in the sanctuary.
“We keep an empty chair in the hall to symbolise those who did not make it home. When we enter the sanctuary we pay our respects to the empty chair to remember the fallen,” said Mr de Roche.
Mr de Roche said the largest challenge of the shell hole is finances.
He said maintenance and the monthly property payments make up the largest expenses for the order.
Mr de Roche said the shell hole would be greatly appreciative of financial assistance from the community.
He said over the years community support has diminished.
“We could always use more support. In the current economy things have become more difficult,” said Mr de Roche.
“In previous yeasr we would have a parade through the town of Edenvale,” said Mr de Roche.
The order now holds a small parade on the property of the shell hole.
In order to generate some funding Mr de Roche said the shell hole is rented out for functions such as weddings and dances.
He said an annual fete is held in November to help the order remain in existence.
