FORMER VOLUNTEER JOINS POLICE FORCE

Thursday, September 30, 2004

PC Simon Wells at his graduation ceremony, September 2004.

A veteran of the British Army's Royal Tank Regiment moved by the suffering of innocent civilians, Simon entered the Bosnian war of independence in July 1992 joining the King Tomislav Brigade of the HVO, the Bosnian-Croat Army, under command of the Croatian-Canadian Brigadier-General Zeljko Glasnovic. He served in Tomislavgrad, was present at the bloody fall of Jajce in October 1992 and fought with great distinction in actions around Vitez, Gornji Vakuf and Jablanica in central Bosnia. Upon Simon's demobilisation in July 1993 General Glasnovic wrote on his character reference that he was a "very good and experienced combatant." As with most other International Volunteers whose wartime service was overlooked at the end of the war, Simon has yet to receive any of the campaign medals to which he is entitled. With his graduation from Ashford, PC Wells is one of three known International Volunteers who became police officers in their own countries after the war.

Simon is currently completing his two years' probationary period with his local force, serving his local community and thereby upholding the ethos of the Croatian Forces International Volunteers Association. As far as future plans are concerned, he says he is keeping his specialist's options open. We wish him well.

CFIVA