I recently came across some original documents concerning my evacuation from Biafra as described in my memoir, The Up-Country Man (see below) and decided it would be interesting to post them on my website. They are all mentioned in my memoir and provide an insight into the situation prevailing in Biafra at the time (July1967) I will post more as they are processed.
To enhance each document simply click on its image.
The Biafra Police in Enugu provided passes for everyone in the 70+ vehicle convoy organised by Mr Parker, the British Deputy High Commissioner as part of our evacuation. They were intended to enable safe passage by road to Port Harcourt. The main problem was that many of the armed and unruly vigilantes manning the hundreds of roadblocks between Enugu and Port Harcourt (approx. 160 miles) could not read and therefore the passes were largely useless! They were also dated the 15th July whereas we actually left Enugu on the 16th.This was the ‘Pink Notice’ handed to everyone on the MV Isonzo as we approached the Atlantic Passenger Terminal at Apapa (Lagos) explaining the clearance arrangements. The last paragraph caused some derision and rude comments from many of us. However, as it turns out the formalities were minimal and conducted sympathetically by the Nigerian authorities. This is the first page of a four-page leaflet issued to all civilian organisations by the Biafran Military Government detailing the action required of civilians should there be an attack by the Armed Forces of Federal Nigeria. This was my personal copy (Engineer) sent through to my in-tray by the Enugu Branch Manager (John Lewis) on 13th of July 1967. Three days later I was on my way to Port Harcourt in a 70+ vehicle convoy headed by the British Deputy High Commissioner.This is the advert I saw in the Daily Telegraph in January 1967 detailing the job in ‘West Africa’ that I applied for and was successful in securing at a salary of £1,900 per annum. It was the beginning of all my Nigerian/Biafran adventures.
African Tales 