“This is a voluntary organisation with its own constitution and general standing orders and all members are bound by a membership oath and the code of conduct,” said Ron Reiners, the Old Bill of the MOTHs. The MOTH order is based on three pillars, true comradeship (by practicing front-line friendship in civilian life), mutual help (by acknowledging the personal and collective obligation to help each other as in front-line service), and sound memory (by remembering the fallen as a living companionship and to serve their memory in practical actions which rise above divisions of social status, race or politics).

Reiners said that there is a misconception that the MOTHs only consist of English-speaking old soldiers. “We are a mixed group of men and women who have served in the army, police force, air force, and navy. Our motto is unity and harmony and works independently of race, creed, or politics. Our objectives are to protect and continue to ensure the interests of war veterans and their next of kin by carrying out benevolent activities of a past service character,” he added. Long Tom Shellhole history Alan Odendaal had a passion to start the MOTH movement in Tzaneen.

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A shellhole existed in Tzaneen which was called Mosquito Shellhole, unfortunately, little to no information about this shellhole could be found. “Alan organised a meeting and a new name, Long Tom Shellhole was decided upon. The necessary documentation was forwarded to MOTH headquarters and Long Tom Shellhole was officially launched on May 11, 2019. We began with 22 members. In July 2022 a new executive was elected for Long Tom.”

They are Old Bill: Ron Reiners, Wee Bill: Henco Delport, Adjudant: John Anderton (who will also be Pay Bill for the time) Sgt. Maj: Butch Baker. The Long Tom Shellhole meets every first Saturday of the month at 14:00 at 4 Gilliland Street, Aqua Park. Contact: Old Bill/PRO Ron Reiners on 083 617 8442 for further information.