Newton VC Rest Area
Bywong, NSW
Federal Highway (M23)
At a Glance
Victoria Cross Recipient
Flight Lieutenant William Ellis Newton VC
No. 22 Squadron RAAF
William Ellis 'Bill' Newton was born on 8 June 1919 at St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, the son of a dentist. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force and was posted to No. 22 Squadron RAAF at Port Moresby as a Boston light bomber pilot. He earned the nickname 'the Firebug' for the accuracy and destructiveness of his bombing raids, completing fifty-two operational sorties between May 1942 and March 1943.
On 16 March 1943, Flight Lieutenant Newton led a low-level attack on Japanese positions at Salamaua in New Guinea. His Boston bomber was hit by intense anti-aircraft fire that damaged the fuel tanks, fuselage, wings, and main tyre, yet he pressed home his attack and then managed to fly the crippled aircraft 180 miles to safety. Two days later, on 18 March, Newton returned to Salamaua for a further strike. This time, as he bombed his target, his aircraft was hit and burst into flames. To give his crew the best chance of survival, Newton flew along the shore as far from Japanese positions as possible before ditching the burning aircraft into the sea. His navigator survived, but Newton was captured by Japanese soldiers and was executed by beheading on 29 March 1943.
Newton was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his sustained courage and leadership across multiple missions. He was the only RAAF officer to receive the VC in the Pacific theatre. He was twenty-three years old.
Born 8 June 1919, St Kilda, VIC. Died 29 March 1943, Salamaua, New Guinea.
References
Remembrance Driveway
Stop 19 of 20 along the Remembrance Driveway
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EPIC (Exhibition Park Campground)
$? · 19km
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National Parks(5)
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