Lone Tree Shellhole: Barberton's tribute to service and sacrifice
Tucked away at the corner of Nourse and Grauman Streets in Barberton, the Lone Tree Shellhole stands as a testament to the town's enduring respect for its military veterans. Established on October 10, 1948, this branch of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (MOTH) has been a cornerstone of the community's remembrance and fellowship for over seven decades.
Origins rooted in remembrance
The inception of the Lone Tree Shellhole can be traced back to a gathering of ex-servicemen at the old Transvaal Hotel (later known as the Impala Hotel and now the Greenstone Trading Post). These veterans, seeking to preserve the bonds forged during wartime, decided to establish a local MOTH Shellhole, a term affectionately used for MOTH branches. Their aim was to uphold the principles of True Comradeship, Mutual Help, and Sound Memory, ensuring that the sacrifices of their fellow soldiers were never forgotten.
You could also visit their website or their Facebook page.
A site of historical significance
The Lone Tree Shellhole is strategically located near Barberton's Garden of Remembrance, a heritage site that once served as a military training camp during World War II. According to Johan Venter, (Sgt Major of the Shellhole) this garden houses plaques and memorials dedicated to various regiments, including those from the Boer War, World War I, and World War II. “The 5th South African Infantry Brigade trained here in 1942 before their deployment to North Africa, where they faced significant challenges during the Battle of Sidi Rezegh,” he said.
The Pro Patria Memorial: Honouring modern sacrifices
In the early 2000s, recognising the need to honour veterans of more recent conflicts, the Lone Tree Shellhole added the Pro Patria Memorial. This tribute recognises service members who fought in the South African Border War and other post-World War II conflicts. The memorial features the names of Barberton locals who served and includes the iconic MOTH emblem of a tin hat resting on rifles.
You could also visit their website or their Facebook page.
Preserving history through service
Today, the Lone Tree Shellhole continues to host remembrance parades, support local veterans, and contribute to historical education in Barberton. Events such as Armistice Day, Remembrance Sunday, and the annual MOTH Founders Day are commemorated with full military honours and community participation.
Beyond the ceremonial, the shellhole also supports outreach initiatives aimed at helping former service members in need, particularly those facing hardship in their later years. The fellowship and mutual respect at the heart of the MOTH philosophy remain alive and well in this corner of the De Kaap Valley.
You could also visit their website or their Facebook page.
Present committee
The present committee consists of Lappies Labuschagne as the Old Bill, Ben Schutte as the Deputy Old Bill, Gerry Elliot as the Pay Bill, André Gilbert as Adjutant and Johann Venter as the Sgt Major. Venter also said that they have been upgrading and renovating the building and premises of the Shellhole and it is now well established to be used as a venue for functions such as a wedding reception, birthday parties etc.
For more information, Venter can be contacted HERE or you can WhatsApp Clarence Hobbs HERE. You could also visit their website or their Facebook page.
