Local Moths’ former Old Bill dies

Date: 08 July 2016 By: Anton van Zyl

Brian Kruger, best known as the former Old Bill of the Moths’ Turbi Hills Shellhole, died on Saturday morning.

Old Bill Kruger, as he was known to many of the Soutpansberg’s residents, arrived in Louis Trichardt in 1982. He grew up in Zimbabwe and also took part in the Rhodesian Bush War. When he arrived in South Africa, he joined the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (Moths) and became involved with the activities of this organisation. The order’s main focus is on comradeship and it provides assistance to injured soldiers, former soldiers and the families of fallen soldiers.

From 1984 to 1985, Brian Kruger was the Old Bill of Turbi Hills Shellhole, whereafter he took a break for four years. He resumed his duties as Old Bill in 1989 for the next 22 years and during this period even served as Old Bill of the Northern Transvaal District.

Many local residents will remember Brian for his work at Field & Stream Taxidermist. He also managed the Moths farm just north of the Soutpansberg mountain.

In 2013, Brian and his wife, Merle, decided to move to Benoni, where they retired. He died on Saturday morning, not long after cancer was diagnosed.

He leaves behind his wife, Merle, his daughter Catherine, son-in-law and grandchildren.

The Turbi Hills Shellhole's current Old Bill, Alan Odendaal, paid tribute to the former member and greeted him with the Moths’ slogan: “We will remember him”.

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Anton van Zyl

Anton van Zyl has been with the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror since 1990. He graduated from the Rand Afrikaans University (now University of Johannesburg) and obtained a BA Communications degree. He is a founder member of the Association of Independent Publishers.

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