Shellholes:

• Casa Mia
• Coalbox/Mark II
• Colonel Bogey (Closed 15 September 2019)
• Field Marshal
• Gorgeous Wrecks
• Ouma (Closed 30 June 2025)
• Rusty
• Vacant Chair

Executive for 2025 – 2026

History of the Dugout  click here

THE ANNUAL GATHERING OF THE NOBLE ORDER OF OLD BILLS

A Tale of Merriment, Fellowship, Ancient Deeds and the Pursuit of the Holy Mead

Hear ye! Hear ye! Let it be proclaimed throughout the fair lands of Pretoria District that upon Saturday, the tenth day of October, in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty-Six, the annualfeast of the noble Old Bills was once again convened!

The gathering was graciously hosted by none other than the esteemed Old Bill of the Pretoria District Dugout, Moth Thinus Prinsloo, at the hallowed halls of Evenden House, wherein many a tale hath been told, many a toast hath been raised, and many a thirsty soul hath sought relief from the cruel affliction known as a dry throat.

Unto this grand occasion were summoned all serving Old Bills and Past Old Bills within the Pretoria District Dugout. These worthy veterans, seasoned in the ways of the Order and well acquainted with the trials and tribulations of life, assembled once more to renew their bonds of fellowship, exchange ancient wisdom, and, as is customary among men of their standing, determine whose memory had improved most magnificently with the passing of the years!

Forsooth, it was a merry gathering indeed! The assembled brethren settled themselves comfortably, and soon the air was filled with laughter, jests, and tales of deeds both valiant and somewhatquestionable. Old campaigns were revisited, past glories magnificently embellished, and incidents long thought buried beneath the dust of time were resurrected with alarming accuracy whenever they threatened to embarrass a fellow Moth.

Each worthy gentleman appeared to possess a tale grander than the one told before him. Some spoke of courage under fire, others of endurance in the face of adversity, whilst a select few demonstrated extraordinary bravery in recounting how they had survived the wrath of their better halves after returning home somewhat later than originally promised.

It was observed that certain stories had grown considerably in stature since their first telling. A modest skirmish of yesteryear had become a mighty battle, a short march had transformed into apilgrimage of biblical proportions, and a minor mishap had somehow evolved into an epic worthy of the royal chroniclers. Yet none dared challenge these noble narrators, for it is well known that an Old Bill’s recollection is sacred, particularly when the facts have long since surrendered and fled the field!

THE MYSTERIES OF THE TROEPIE STATUE

Amidst the merriment, the honourable host, Moth Thinus Prinsloo, called the gathering to attention and delivered an address concerning the renowned Troepie Statue at Fort Klapperkop.

With the air of a learned royal historian, he furnished the assembled brethren with a resume of this notable monument, recalling its significance and its place in the military heritage of our fair land. For a brief while, the assembled warriors laid aside their jests and listened attentively, proving that beneath the weathered countenances, greying beards, and occasional complaints concerning knees, backs, and other ageing equipment, there yet remained a healthy respect for history and the sacrifices of those who had served before them.

The Troepie, standing steadfast upon his monument, might well have looked upon the assembled company and wondered whether these elderly warriors had come to honour the deeds of soldiers past or merely to discover whether the refreshments had arrived.

Nevertheless, the address served as a timely reminder that whilst time may dim the memory, stiffen the joints, and make the rising from a comfortable chair resemble a military manoeuvre requiringconsiderable planning, the spirit of the old soldier endureth still!

THE SACRED RITES OF THE TOASTS

And lo, as the afternoon advanced and the hour of solemn observance drew nigh, the gathering proceeded unto the customary drinking of the Toasts.

With due dignity and in accordance with the honoured traditions of the Order, the brethren raised their vessels in tribute to those worthy causes, comrades, and memories deserving of remembrance. For this brief and noble interval, the laughter softened, the fellowship deepened, and the spirit of Mothing shone forth in all its glory.

Yet even the most solemn of ceremonies must eventually yield to the call of nature, and it was not long before certain brethren began casting hopeful glances in the direction of the refreshments,lest the sacred liquid be left unattended and fall into the hands of less deserving souls.

Thus were the formal proceedings brought to their conclusion, whereupon the assembled Old Bills were duly dismissed unto Harmony.

There, awaiting them with customary hospitality, stood the fair Lady of the Mead, whose noble calling was to replenish the flagons and restore moisture unto the parched throats of the weary warriors.

It was a task of no small importance, for after an evening of vigorous storytelling, spirited debate, and the occasional raising of voices to ensure that a punchline was properly appreciated, many athroat had become as dry as the plains of the Holy Land.

The Lady of the Mead accordingly set about her duties, whilst the brethren, grateful for such merciful intervention, resumed their fellowship with renewed vigour. Whether the tales grew taller, thelaughter louder, or the wisdom more profound thereafter, the chronicler shall leave to the judgement of those who were present.

AND SO ENDETH THE CHRONICLE

Thus passed another memorable annual Old Bill’s Dinner: an afternoon of fellowship, good humour, remembrance, and the celebration of that peculiar bond which unites those who have worn the mantle of leadership within the Pretoria District Dugout.

May the Old Bills continue to gather in good health, may their tales never grow shorter, may their memories remain conveniently selective, and may their cups never stand empty for longer than the time required to summon the Lady of the Mead!

For though the years may advance and the armour of youth grow somewhat rusty, the heart of the old warrior remaineth steadfast, his tongue ever ready with a tale, and his thirst a formidable adversary unto the very end.

Long live the Old Bills! Long live the fellowship! And may the Lady of the Mead forever find favour in the eyes of the thirsty brethren!

So recorded by the humble chronicler, in the hope that no Old Bill shall take offence, no Past Old Bill shall demand a correction, and no member shall claim that his finest tale was, once again,omitted from the royal records.

Thank you

David Berry
Gorgeous Wrecks Shellhole

🍀 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝑺𝒕 𝑷𝒂𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒌’𝒔 𝑫𝒂𝒚 𝑺𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒈 🍀

☘️ A Tale with a Touch o’ the Emerald Isle ☘️

☘️ Ah now, gather ‘round ye fine folk, and lend an ear to a tale worth the telling… ☘️
On the grand afternoon of the 14th of March 2026, Evenden House came alive with the spirit of St Patrick himself, as revellers poured in like a well-pulled pint of Guinness. The occasion? A mighty fine fundraiser—but truth be told, it felt more like a afternoon lifted straight from the heart of Ireland! 🍻

Decked out in green from head to toe, the crowd was a sight to behold. Shamrocks were pinned, hats were perched, and more than a few cheeky leprechauns (or so they claimed!) wandered about spreading laughter and good cheer. 🍀🧝‍♂️

Adding a touch of honour to the gathering was Moth Hennie Bresler of Blaize Away Shellhole in Mossel Bay—once a proud member of Gorgeous Wrecks Shellhole—whose arrival was met with hearty handshakes and stories that grew taller with every telling.

📺 Now, no Irish celebration would be complete without a bit of sporting drama! The Irish took on the Scots in the Six Nations clash, and oh, what a match it was! Much to the despair (and colourful commentary) of Moths Gary Finlay and Dave Berry, Ireland triumphed 43–21. There were groans, there were sighs—but in true old soldier fashion, the drinks were raised regardless! 🍻

🎻 And then came the music! The Herring Bone Band filled the hall with lively Celtic tunes, setting feet tapping and hearts soaring. Even the stiffest joints found themselves loosening as the rhythm took hold—sure, it was magic of the finest kind!

🏆 A contest for the best dressed brought out the competitive spirit, and after much debate and laughter, the honours went to Moth Johnny Beukes and his good lady Annamarie—looking every bit the part of true Irish nobility.

🍲 And what’s a gathering without a feast? Dirk Muller served up a hearty Irish stew that could warm the bones of a winter’s night. Rich, filling, and full of flavour—it vanished quicker than a leprechaun’s gold!

☘️ And so, as the night drew to a close, the laughter lingered, the friendships grew stronger, and the spirit of camaraderie burned bright. Funds were raised, stories were shared, and memories were made to last a lifetime.

🍀 With a final raise of the glass and a twinkle in the eye, the night whispered softly:

“Sláinte, ye fine blokes and bloquettes… until we meet again!” 🍻🍀

GORGEOUS WRECKS SHELLHOLE RAID CASA MIA SHELLHOLE AND KIDNAP THE OLD BILL OF THE ORDER

of military planning, the fearless members of Gorgeous Wrecks Shellhole learned that the Old Bill of the Order, Moth Leon Robertson, would be attending the Casa Mia Shellhole meeting on 1 March 2026.

The Wrecks immediately concluded that such an important dignitary could not possibly be left unattended amongst the Casa Mia crowd and therefore required urgent “protective custody.”

Orders were issued by Old Bill George Butler, who assumed command of the operation with all the authority of a General and none of the paperwork. The Wrecks assembled discreetly around the corner from Evenden House, attempting to look inconspicuous while forming a convoy large enough to invade a small country.

At the appointed hour the motorised column rolled forward and descended upon the Dugout with all the subtlety of a troop carrier with a loose exhaust pipe.

Upon entry, the invading force was bravely challenged by the Casa Mia Shellhole Sgt-Maj, John Hains, who attempted to repel the attack single-handedly. Sadly, he was outnumbered by a mob of Wrecks whose tactical plan consisted mainly of shouting loudly and occupying all available chairs.

The Executive of Casa Mia Shellhole were immediately placed under arrest, tried on the spot, and sentenced to banishment to the salt mines, a punishment considered most severe since it comes with no beer ration.

Meanwhile, the notorious Wrecks Sgt-Maj Francois Louw successfully carried out the main objective of the operation by kidnapping the Old Bill of the Order, Moth Leon Robertson. The distinguished prisoner was then held firmly to ransom, although witnesses report he appeared quite comfortable with the arrangement.

With the Dugout firmly under Wrecks control, Moth George Butler seized the chair and promptly closed the meeting before anyone from Casa Mia could recover their dignity. In the finest traditions of MOTH justice, everyone present was immediately fined on the spot in order to raise ransom money for the safe return of the Old Bill of the Order.

After vigorous collection (and a few threats involving additional fines), the impressive sum of R1,410.00 was raised and ceremoniously handed to Moth Robertson to assist with his travelling expenses — or possibly to ensure he would forgive the kidnappers.

With hostilities concluded and honour more or less intact, the afternoon descended into the usual harmony session, followed by a bring-and-braai. Good fellowship prevailed, tall stories were told, and it was unanimously agreed that the raid had been a resounding success, even if nobody could quite remember who actually won.

All participants returned safely to their respective Shellholes, slightly poorer from the fines but considerably richer in good humour and comradeship.

COMBINED SHELLHOLES MEETING – 18 JANUARY 2026

The Pretoria District Dugout kicks off each new year with the Combined Shellholes Meeting. This has always been a successful event and raises much needed funds for Evenden House. The meeting is a casual affair with the members of the District electing a Combined Meeting Executive by bidding for their preferred candidate. An amount in excess of R16,000.00 was raised.

The meeting was then followed by a bring and braai which was enjoyed by all

PRETORIA DISTRICT DUGOUT – OLD BILL’S DINNER 2025

The Old Bill’s Dinner took place at Evenden House on 11th October 2025 hosted by District Old Bill Thinus Prinsloo of the Pretoria District Dugout. The Dinner was established to give recognition to those Old Bill who have supported the District over the years. Those in attendance were:

• Moth Dave Berry – Past Old Bill of Whizzbang Shellhole, Past District Old Bill of Pretoria District Dugout and Past Provincial Old Bill of Platinum Provincial Dugout.
• Moth Gary Finlay – Old Bill of the Combined Shellholes Meeting.
• Moth George Butler – Old Bill of Gorgeous Wrecks Shellhole and past Old Bill ofHalfaya Pass Shellhole in Oudtshoorn.
• Moth Johan Strydom – Old Bill of Coalbox/MkII Shellhole and Moth Melt van Sittert – Past Old Bill of Coalbox/MkII Shellhole, Suzette Avis – Past Old Bill Coalbox MkII
• Moth Andrew Olivier – Past Old Bill of Col Bogey Shellhole
• Moth Tim Lane – Old Bill of Field Marshal Shellhole
• Moth Joep Joubert and Moth Henry Schnettler – Past Old Bills of Casa Mia Shellhole
• Moth Graeme Thorold and Moth Hannes van Niekerk – Past Old Bills of Vacant Chair Shellhole
• Moth Vaino Prinsloo – Past Old Bill of Monte Sole Shellhole in Ermelo
• Moth Ed Ruziecki – Past Old Bill of Otjiwanda Shellhole in Grootfontein.
• Moth Niel van Dyk – Past Old Bill of Alan Wilson Shellhole in Pietermaritzburg.

During the Dinner, the District Old Bill delivered his keynote address on Warriors Gate which covered the establishment of the Gate to what it is today. His address was enjoyed be all and was an eye-opener for those blokes who have not had the opportunity to visit the Gate.

Moth Thinus then awarded Mr Dirk Muller our caterer with a Certificate of Appreciation for his services to the Pretoria District.

The Dinner was concluded with the drinking of the various toasts and the Old Bill’s and Past Old Bill’s were then dismissed to harmony

The Pretoria District Annual General Meeting – 17 August 2017

District Old Bill Thinus Prinsloo delivered his 2016-2017 Old Bill’s Report and at the conclusion of his report, he presented the District Trophies to the following recipients

The Pretoria District Annual General Meeting – 18 August 2016

During the District AGM the Provincial Old Bill Moth Dave Berry installed the incoming Pretoria District Executive

The Combined Shellhole Meeting held at Evenden House on Sunday 17 January 2016 was attended by 40 Moths

The 47th Veterans’ Dinner held at Evenden House on Sunday 01 November 2015

Pretoria District Dugout: The Annual General Meeting Evenden House – Thursday 20 August 2015

The 2015 Annual District Awards

The Annual Border Boys Parade Pretoria Cottages – 16 August 2015 Casa Mia Shellhole hosted the Annual Border Boys Parade at the Sound Memory Cottages in Pretoria on Sunday 16 August 2015

The Annual District Old Bill’s Dinner