Donkey Mail And Bully Beef
The Art of Survival Goražde, Bosnia 1994-1995
Available to buy now on Amazon – All proceed have been, and will continue to be, donated to Goražde Children’s Foundation.
by Maurice Evlyn-Bufton, CEO, Armstrong Wolfe
Memories of British soldiers on United Nations operational duty in the former Yugoslavia
Donkey Mail and Bully Beef is Maurice’s first-hand account of his and his comrades’ experiences in Goražde, central Bosnia, whilst on United Nations duty in 1994 – 1995.
All proceeds will be donated to Goražde Children’s Foundation.
In September 1994, the 1st battalion of the newly amalgamated regiment The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment entered Goražde, central Bosnia. In the coming six months of their operational tour, the soldiers and officers of the battalion experienced tragedy and adversity, but laughter and camaraderie also.
Despite being ill-equipped, poorly-supported and isolated, the battalion saw through the winter months and achieved its military and humanitarian objectives. This hardship was made worse by the intransigence of the Serbians, who surrounded the town and prevented fresh rations from entering the enclave, leaving the soldiers on a traditional bully beef diet, packed in boxed 24-hour ration packs.
Before a time of mobile or internet communication, they waited patiently for the sporadic arrival of letters and mail, which were delivered by donkeys purchased by the battalion. Diesel was scarce and too valued for simple mail delivery services to the soldiers in the UK Observation Posts high in the mountains overlooking the town of Goražde.
”Fresh food can be replaced by ration packs, no diesel and you can walk or even buy a donkey. No letters leaves a void.”
“Thanks to GCF Bosnia’s strong support, my students have been able to make great progress in their English learning process.
Books and teaching materials offered by our English friends helped all of us to teach and learn in far better conditions.
We are so grateful for such a generous gift and hope to have a good cooperation in the future as well.”
Zahida Alic
English teacher at Goražde Primary School
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