The West Rand Memorable Order of the Tin Hats (Moths) recently held a remembrance parade aimed at commemorating those who lost their lives and celebrating those who survived World War One and Two, the Korean War and the Border War in South Africa.
This memorial, also known as Poppy Day, was held at the Dardanelles Shellhole, and it was attended by community members, Florida Lake Sea Scouts, the Moth Women’s Association (Mothwa), the Infantry Association, and the Carbs.
According to Robert Engelbrecht, the Moth’s oldest bill, this event is celebrated annually on the Sunday closest to November 11 at 11:00 across the former British Empire.
He says this day is marked by two minutes of silence, observed every year since 1919, the first anniversary of Armistice Day, the end of the Great War (World War One).
“World War One ended on the 11th hour, of the 11th of the 11th month in 1918,” he says.
“I did my national service from 1983 to 1984, and I was involved in an operation called Askari, and in a space of nine weeks we lost 24 soldiers. Therefore, this memory is personal to me because 24 of my friends and comrades didn’t come back. They didn’t have a chance to become fathers, grandfathers or even enjoy their lives.”
In addition, wreaths, flowers, and crosses were laid on the wall of remembrance as symbols of commemoration and respect for all the fallen soldiers.
