NO TIME TO HAVE A PARTY

// A TOWNSVILLE soldier didn’t have the time to celebrate his own birthday as he helped rescue residents during the evacuation efforts as floodwaters continuously rose.

Gunner Bailey Taylor ( pictured) of the 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery turned 18 on February 2 after Joint Task Force 658 was appointed after a request for assistance by state and civil authorities the previous day.

Gnr Taylor has been in the army for less than a year and missed out on seeing his family in Tasmania.

“I was going around helping people who couldn’t get out of their houses. I couldn’t see my family but this is what I signed up to do and I was happy to doing it,” he said.

“They understood what I was doing and they were proud of me.”

Gnr Taylor said although he hadn’t anticipated the scenario, it was exposure for what being in the Army was like.

“My lieutenant had the battery sing Happy Birthday for me during the day … and I got to see my friends later that night,” he said.

Like many other soldiers involved in the emergency operation, the young soldier was pleased to be putting his skills and training into practice.

“It’s an 18th to remember but for different reasons,” Gnr Taylor said.

“I knew when I joined I would be helping people so I’m happy to be able to do that … a few of the people were pretty shocked as we came and knocked on their doors.

“The people were happy to see us and that we were able to help.”