Birthday in the Bush

Morale was high in tracker platoon. With a 21st birthday approaching two weeks into an operation the men went prepared, so that when the day arrived and, after the platoon had harboured in its night position, they could celebrate.
Party hats were made from the pages of a PIX magazine, a double-layered pound birthday cake was miraculously conjured from some tins of rations and then a piece of plastic explosive was reassigned to become the candle. In turn each person was brought in from his position to participate.

Photograph and caption courtesy The Year of the Tigers 5RAR's pictorial record of its second tour.