Charles Evenden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Evenden
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| Born | 1 October 1894 London, England
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| Died | 1 April 1961 (aged 66) Durban, South Africa
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| Other names | EVO |
| Education | Haggerston Road School |
| Occupation | Editorial cartoonist |
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Notable credit(s)
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Founder of the MOTH |
| Title | MOTH O |
| Spouse(s) | Reenie Carlos |
| Children | 1 son and 1 daughter |
Charles Evenden (born October 1, 1894 – died April 1, 1961) was an English cartoonist. He is best known for starting and guiding a special group called the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (MOTH). This group helps people who have served in the military.
Contents
Early Life and Drawing Dreams
Charles Alfred Evenden was born in London on October 1, 1894. He was the oldest of thirteen children.
He went to Haggerston Road School. When he was twelve, he was the best student in his school. He even won two scholarships to a famous school called Charterhouse School. However, his family couldn't afford to send him there. Instead, he got a job in a factory, earning a very small amount of money each week.
To earn more, he sold newspapers. While doing this, he started looking closely at the cartoons in the papers. This made him want to draw more in his art classes. One time, he even sent a cartoon to a big newspaper called the Daily Express. This experience really shaped his whole life.
Serving in World War I
Charles joined the Australian Army during World War I. He was sent to Egypt. He was part of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC).
He fought in the Gallipoli campaign. During this time, he was badly injured and very stressed from the fighting. He was then taken to a hospital in Malta. After recovering in England, he went back to Australia to try farming when the war ended.
Life After the War
Farming didn't work out well for Charles financially. So, he started working for newspapers in Melbourne. After a short time, he decided to try working for newspapers in South Africa.
In 1923, he arrived in Durban. He joined The Natal Mercury newspaper as their main cartoonist. He used the special pen name "EVO." He worked there from 1924 until 1953. His simple but powerful cartoon ideas quickly made him famous. He even created two characters, "Dr Mug" and "Mr Wump," to show his feelings about politicians. His funny, down-to-earth style of humor was very popular with the newspaper's readers.
Starting the Memorable Order of Tin Hats
The idea for the MOTH organization came about in 1927. Charles and the editor of The Natal Mercury had just watched a war movie. The editor asked Charles to draw a cartoon about "remembrance."
One story says Charles drew a tin helmet with a burning candle on top. Around the candle's flame were six important words: True Comradeship, Mutual Help, and Sound Memory.
However, the official MOTH website tells a slightly different story. It says a cartoon called Forgetfulness led to the group's founding. This cartoon showed a damaged helmet floating in the ocean. In the background, a ship sails away, leaving behind the sad, ghostly image of a forgotten soldier wading in the water.
These ideas of True Comradeship (being good friends), Mutual Help (helping each other), and Sound Memory (remembering the past) became the main goals of the MOTH group. This amazing organization was for former soldiers of all ranks. Charles Evenden, as the founder and main leader, was given the special title of 'Moth O'. He held this position until he passed away.
Under Charles's strong leadership, the MOTH group grew very quickly. Thousands of men and women who had served in World War I and World War II joined. Even those from the Second Anglo Boer War (1899–1902) and former enemy soldiers were welcomed. Anyone who wanted to keep alive the memories of friendship and self-sacrifice from wartime was welcome.
The MOTH members met in special places called "shell holes." These places had colorful names that reminded them of wartime events. These "shell holes" spread to the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Zimbabwe. Later, people who fought in the South African Border War could also join.
The main MOTH office is in Durban, South Africa, at a place called Warriors Gate. It looks like a Norman building. Charles opened Mount Memory in 1948. This is a monument in the Drakensberg mountains that remembers those who went missing or died in World War II.
Family Life
Charles married Reenie Carlos. They had a son named Barrie and a daughter. Sadly, Barrie was reported missing during the war. His ship was hit by a U-boat in the Mediterranean Sea.
Charles Evenden passed away in Durban on April 1, 1961. His body was cremated, and his ashes were scattered over Durban Bay.
His Books
Charles Evenden wrote two books. One was called Old soldiers never die (published in Durban, 1952). In this book, he shared the story of how the MOTH organization began. He also wrote Like a little candle (published in Durban, 1959).
Special Recognition
In 1955, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother met Charles Evenden at Clarence House.
On November 11, 1955, the city of Durban gave him a special honor called the Freedom of the City. This happened at a big parade with 14,000 MOTH members. The Mayor of Durban, Councillor Vernon Essery, presented him with the honor.
