About Savannah Shellhole
Savannah Shellhole was formed on the 4th of September 2002. The Shellhole is as a result of a merge between Dan Pienaar Shellhole and Old Rifle Range Shellhole. Both these shellholes had many years of experience and were well known and supported in the MOTH community. The merge saw a new name being MOTH Savannah Shellhole, remembering Operation Savannah 1975 which took part in Angola, a battle remembered by 3rd generation Moths.
We Pride ourselves, in being a Shellhole whose members are on average younger than most other shellholes, but more important, extremely committed to the MOTH and the various functions held, especially MOTH Parades and supporting Cottage functions, enabling them to raise funds. The small shellhole of less than 30 Moths, is involved at all levels within the Order, eg Cottage Managements Schemes, District Executives, Province Executives and the National Executive. Members also represent the MOTH as trustees on the National War Fund.
We have a very soft spot for our elder Moths who were involved in the building of our Order and our Shellhole. We are however very aware that we need to get younger blood into the organization if the Order is to survive.
Savannah Executive Members
| Year | Old Bill | Deputy Old Bill | Adjutant | Pay Bill | Sgt major |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-2003 | Richard Wilson | Ron De Roche | Stan Brown | Andy Boden | Huey Frieslaar |
| 2003-2004 | Richard Wilson | Ron De Roche | Edwin Welkin | Andy Boden | Huey Frieslaar |
| 2004-2005 | Richard Wilson | Ron De Roche | Jimmy Frieslaar | Andy Boden | Huey Frieslaar |
| 2005-2006 | Richard Wilson | Ron De Roche | Jimmy Frieslaar | Andy Boden | Huey Frieslaar |
| 2006-2007 | Ron De Roche | Richard Wilson | Jimmy Frieslaar | Andy Boden | Huey Frieslaar |
| 2007-2008 | Ron De Roche | Richard Wilson | Jimmy Frieslaar | Andy Boden | Huey Frieslaar |
| 2008-2009 | Ron De Roche | Richard Wilson | Jimmy Frieslaar | Andy Boden | Gavin Holz |
| 2009-2010 | Ron De Roche | Jimmy Frieslaar | Gavin Holz | Andy Boden | Mauro Scaramal |
| 2010-2011 | Jimmy Frieslaar | Ron De Roche | Gavin Holz | Andy Boden | Mauro Scaramal |
| 2011-2012 | Jimmy Frieslaar | Gavin Holz | Greg Van Der Merwe | Andy Boden | Mauro Scaramal |
| 2012-2013 | Jimmy Frieslaar | Gavin Holz | Greg Van Der Merwe | Trevor Scrimgeour | Craig Schambrook |
| 2013-2014 | Jimmy Frieslaar | Gavin Holz | Greg Van Der Merwe | Trevor Scrimgeour | Craig Schambrook |
| 2014-2015 | Jimmy Frieslaar | Gavin Holz | Richard Wilson | Andy Boden | Craig Schambrook |
| 2015-2016 | Gavin Holz | Jimmy Frieslaar | Robin Starkey | Rory Barnes | Craig Schambrook |
| 2016-2017 | Gavin Holz | Robin Starkey | Mike Ribi | Rory Barnes | Trevor Scrimgeour |
| 2017-2018 | Gavin Holz | Robin Starkey | Mike Ribi | Rory Barnes | Geoff Lathy |
| 2018-2019 | Gavin Holz | Robin Starkey | Bruce Green | Rory Barnes | Geoff Lathy |
| 2019-2020 | Robin Starkey | Rory Barnes | Bruce Green | Gavin Holz | Geoff Lathy |
| 2020-2021 | Robin Starkey | Rory Barnes | Bruce Green | Gavin Holz | Geoff Lathy |
| 2021-2022 | Robin Starkey | Rory Barnes | Bruce Green | Gavin Holz | Sean Blaauw |
| 2022-2023 | Robin Starkey | Rory Barnes | Richard Wilson | Chris Hallendorff | Sean Blaauw |
| 2023-2024 | Rory Barnes | Patrick Alfonso | Richard Wilson | Chris Hallendorff | Sean Blaauw |
| 2024-2025 | Rory Barnes | Patrick Alfonso | Richard Wilson | Chris Hallendorff | Sean Blaauw |
The Shellholes Old Bills of the Order
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Peter Coltman | 1997/ 1998 |
| Stan Brown | 2003/ 2004 |
| Andy Boden | 2016/ 2017 |
| Richard Wilson | 2023/ 2024 |
The Shellholes Certificates of Merit awards
| Name | Year |
|---|---|
| Peter Coltman (Old Rifle Range) | 1963 |
| Peter De Villiers (Old Rifle Range/Dan Pienaar) | 1999 |
| Stan Brown | 2002 |
| Andy Boden | 2004 |
| Richard Wilson | 2007 |
| Ron De Roche | 2007 |
| Robin Ford | 2007 |
Roll of Honour
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Larry Viljoen | 18-Jan-03 |
| Doc Barry | 11-Apr-05 |
| Stan Brown | 18-May-06 |
| Tiger Evans | 20-Jun-06 |
| Peter Coltman | 28-Aug-06 |
| Jim McCall | 30-Jan-07 |
| Huey Frieslaar | 20-May-08 |
| Mauro Scaramal | 29-Sep-12 |
| Neels Claassen | 14-Mar-13 |
| Neville Morgan | 31-Aug-18 |
| Ruby Behr | 17-Oct-18 |
| Dave Strauss | 29-Dec-18 |
| Craig Anderson | 12-Aug-19 |
| Tony Surtees | 10-Aug-20 |
| Bruce Green | 16-Mar-22 |
| Trevor Wright | 01-Jun-23 |
| Brenton Opperman | 28-Aug-23 |
Sunset Call Memorial Pictures
SUNSET CALLS
Moth Brenton Opperman 1950-12-15 to 2023-08-14
Joined the Moth 2014-03-01
Bruce Green : 1952-06-05 to 2022-03-16
Joined the MOTH 2014-04-03
Operational Unit Cape Field Artillery
It is with regret that Moth Savannah Shellhole advises the passing to higher service of Moth Bruce Green. He passed away as a result of gun shot wounds sustained in an armed robbery in his Cottage.
Bruce was the Adj of Savannah and a very committed Moth. One of his passions was arranging raids (visits) to other units in the area, for which Moth Savannah Shellhole became well known. He was also a proud Gunner.
Our Condolences to his wife Ellen and the family. He will be sorely missed.
WE WILL REMEMBER HIM
Some Memories of our great friend
It is with deepest regret that executive of Moth Savannah Shellhole advise that Moth Tony Surtees has answered the Sunset Call. Tony will always be remembered as a very friendly and happy person who cared for others. He was He spent many years on Moth Mutual Aid assisting those who were in need.
Our condolences to his family and friends.
WE WILL REMEMBER YOU.
Moth Tony was laid to rest on the 12th August 2020
It is with regret the Moth Savannah Shellhole advise that Moth Craig Anderson has passed away on the 12th August 2019 after a long illness. He will be missed by his fellow Moths. Our Condolences to all his family and friends.
We will remember him
Craigs funereal will be held at:
Fourways Memorial Park at 10h00
There will be no Moth funeral.
Moth Savannah Shellhole was saddened to hear Moth Dave Strauss passed away as a result of a suspected heart attack on Saturday 29th December 2018, while on holiday in Cape Town. Moth Dave has been a very loyal supporter of Savannah, long before he joined. He only joined in March 2018 and proved to be a great Moth with a lot of potential. He served in the military as a Ops Medic, of which he was very proud. We are all very shocked that this young man, only 48 years old, has answered the sunset call. Our condolences to the family and friends.
We will remember him.
Some typical photos of our friend Moth Dave
AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN, AND IN THE MORNING, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
Events
Over the many years the shellhole has held many fund raisers and socials. Functions include:
- Golf Days – at Glenvista
- Dinner Dance
- Beer Fests,
- Open Days,
- Raids to other shellholes, including 80th, 85th and 90th and 95th Anniversary of the MOTH.
- Christmas Tree for Children – No cost to the Children
- Dickie Fritz End of year Fete and Parade
- Inter District Sports Day
- Attend most parades in the area
We hope to continue with these activities, and more, for many years to come. The highlight of these events is the support from all the members.