Donkey Mail & Bully Beef
The Art of Survival Goražde, Bosnia 1994-1995
By Maurice Evlyn-Bufton
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.
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This collection of memories will be captured in his book to be published in 2018, with all proceeds going his charitable foundation, GCF Bosnia.
About the author
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Maurice Evlyn-Bufton was a captain and second in command of the operations overseeing the south bank of Goražde.
He has returned three times to the town since 1995, and has established a charity in remembrance of four comrades killed on the tour. In his book, he has captured the thoughts, memories and opinions of many of those who served with him on Operation Grapple, wearing the UN’s blue beret uniquely adorned with their regimental back badge, throughout the harsh Yugoslavian winter of 1994–95.
About the book
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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 also laughter and camaraderie. Despite being ill-equipped, poorly supported and isolated, the battalion saw through the winter months and achieved its military and humanitarian objectives.
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This hardship was made more the 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.
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In a time before mobile phone or internet communication, they waited patiently for the sporadic arrival of letters and mail, being delivered by donkeys purchased by the battalion as diesel was scarce and too valued for simple mail delivery services to the soldiers in the UN observation posts high in the mountains overlooking the town of Goražde.
How to obtain a book?
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Copies are available to order now at £40/$55 plus postage £5.82
If you would like to purchase a copy of the book please email info@gcfbosnia.org.
(USA $75.42 USD, Canada £98.10 CAD, Singapore $1103.73 SD, Hong Kong $592.06 HKD)
The Launch
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The book was launched on the 6th September at the RAC London. It was a wonderful evening that helped raise an impressive sum for GCF Bosnia (total is rising daily), countless copies of the book were sold and during the evening there was a charity auction where guests were able to bid on an amazing array of prizes from a Michelin Star meal, rugby coaching, a leadership retreat and an operatic private performance. The auction was widely popular and helped raise thousands for GCF Bosnia.
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During the evening speeches were made by the author Maurice Evlyn-Bufton and Nihad Gluscic a child through the Goražde conflict who contributed heavily to the book.
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