MOTH Memorial
Springs
Gauteng
| MOTH MemorialSprings |
 Oblique view of MOTH Memorial from west |
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Notes: INTRODUCTION The MOTH (Memorable Order of Tin Hats) Memorial in Olympia Park, Springs was built after WWII under the direction of the Springs MUDHOOK DUGOUT. It forms part of a large Garden of Remembrance. HISTORY Transcribed extracts from three contemporary newspaper articles are provided below which firstly provide basic background information regarding the Memorial, secondly record details of the Dedication Ceremony and thirdly conclude with a review of the completed Memorial. MOTHS' GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE (1) The local Moths, as announced in our last issue, have approached the Town Council with a view to assisting them in establishing a "Garden of Remembrance" in Springs. The General Committee has investigated the possible sites suitable for the purpose and they are of the opinion that Olympia Park is the most suitable locality. The estimated cost is £700 and of this amount the Moths have agreed to pay approximately £250 over a period of two or three years. The maintenance and control of the Garden of Remembrance is to be vested in the Council, and it is to be open to all sections of the community for the purpose of silent prayer and reverence. The Council agreed to the establishment of a Garden of Remembrance at a cost of £700 and accepted the offer of the Moths to donate £250 over a period of two or three years, subject to the control and maintenance of the garden being vested in the Council. The site is to be at Olympia Park adjacent to the existing sunken garden, which is just a little way from the entrance to the park and is the prettiest portion of it. It is hoped to have it completed by November for the Armistice service. MUDHOOK DUGOUT: QUARTERLY REPORT (2) The dedication of The Garden of Remembrance and Memorial at Olympia Park on Delville Wood Day, was one of the biggest ceremonies ever held in Springs. The dedication was performed by the Chaplain of the Dugout, Padre Menzies, in the presence of 4,000 people, the collection at this function resulted in a further £22 being sent to the Memorial Homes. The Garden and the Memorial is the gift of our Town Council, whose generosity, in the cause of ex-Servicemen has been ever unfailing. The Dugout records its great appreciation to the Council for all the splendid service rendered to the order. THE GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE (3) Those of us who paraded last Sunday at the Garden of Remembrance on the occasion of Delville Wood were conscious of the purpose which has spurred our Moth friends on during the past few years in providing this beautiful memorial to the fallen. It is an impressive memorial; dignified, beautiful and above all worthy of those who have gone before, and in such surroundings - the lovely Olympia Park – it stands out in bold relief. The memorial faces West and looks on to extensive sports grounds. On a clear sunny day it is just like one of those white Indian temples one reads about. To hear the words of the ministers, the prayers of peace, with such before one is an inspiration, was something to remember. DESCRIPTION The MOTH memorial comprises a substantial linear concrete structure - with Art Deco detailing - placed at an angle to the rectilinear boundary of the park. The central portion of the memorial has a large trabeated structure, with a heavy beam supported on two circular columns, framing a recessed panel with an inscription in v-cut Roman letters: -M-O-T-H- The inscription formalises the three Ideals (4) of the MOTH organisation, namely:
The central portion of the memorial is flanked on either side by two lower wings each with a semi-circular recess. The surface finish of the memorial appears to be an exposed aggregate plaster or terrazzo with finely graded river sand with rounded forms. This finish is clearly visible on the faces of the memorial. The central portion of the memorial is flanked on either side by two lower wings each with a semi-circular recess. The surface finish of the memorial appears to be an exposed aggregate plaster or terrazzo with finely graded river sand with rounded forms. This finish is clearly visible on the faces of the memorial. A broad paved area forms the immediate threshold to the memorial with a further projection on axis which probably accommodated a memorial sarcophagus - unfortunately now removed. A large rectangular reflecting pond was also placed on axis with the memorial on the south side. The greater precinct of the memorial includes a significantly scaled and ordered tree planting in the form of a substantial cross - created with two pairs of intersecting avenues of trees. Each broad open avenue forming the crossing is bounded on its periphery with two inner rows of Australian Bottle Trees (Brachychiton populneus) flanked on either side by a row of Canary Island Palm Trees (Phoenix canariensis). (5) The name of the architect or designer of the MOTH memorial has not yet been determined and neither has any documentation on the design been located. STATUS IN 2017 The MOTH memorial has unfortunately been abandoned and vandalised, however the basic structure of the memorial survives albeit in a vandalised condition. The tree planting fortunately remains as a significant urban intervention. STATUS IN 2023 The administrator of the group called 'Springs - History of a Gold Town' on Facebook, Antonio da Cruz, has raised public awareness of the significance of the site. He has also facilitated the transformation and restoration of the MOTH Memorial site with generous donations from various companies based in Springs. Notes: (William MARTINSON, July 2017; revised September 2018) |
 View of MOTH Memorial from within Olympia Park - with remnants of reflecting pool in foreground  Oblique view of MOTH Memorial  Detail of v-cut inscription on central panel  Detail of column capital  Detail of column capital  Stepped corner detail  Detail of applied surface finish  Oblique view of MOTH Memorial from south east  Oblique view of MOTH memorial from north east  Distant view of rear elevation of MOTH memorial from north with one avenue of trees visible in background  Rear elevation of MOTH Memorial  Oblique view of rear face of MOTH Memorial from north east |
 Aerial photograph of Memorial site - the MOTH memorial visible in the top right hand corner and the substantial planted cross to the south-west  Photograph taken 1954 showing the memorial sarcophagus - now removed  Olympia Park gardens in 1955 with houses in 1st Ave Geduld in the background.  Ladies enjoy a walk in the Olympia park gardens  Oblique view of memorial flanked with pair of flagpoles and with sarcophagus still intact, 1954 |