Newton VC Rest Area
Bywong, NSW
Federal Highway (M23)
At a Glance
About
Newton VC Rest Area is stop 19 of 20 on the Remembrance Driveway, positioned on the Federal Highway (M23) near Bywong in New South Wales, just one stop before the route crosses into the ACT at Edwards VC Rest Area. It stands as a fitting tribute to Flight Lieutenant William Ellis Newton of No. 22 Squadron RAAF — one of Australia's most decorated airmen of the Second World War. Born in St Kilda, Melbourne, on 8 June 1919, Bill Newton enlisted in the RAAF and was posted to Port Moresby as a Boston light bomber pilot. Between May 1942 and March 1943 he flew fifty-two operational sorties, earning the nickname 'the Firebug' for the precision and ferocity of his attacks on Japanese positions. On 16 March 1943, Newton led a low-level strike on Salamaua in New Guinea. His aircraft was struck by intense anti-aircraft fire — fuel tanks, fuselage, wings, and undercarriage all damaged — yet he pressed home his attack before nursing the crippled Boston 180 miles back to safety. Two days later, on 18 March, he returned to Salamaua. He was 23 years old when he died on 29 March 1943 at Salamaua. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. The rest area is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is accessible from both directions of travel on the Federal Highway. It provides standard roadside facilities suitable for a short break, and the site accommodates caravans and heavy vehicles. Travellers driving the full Remembrance Driveway will find this stop a quiet and meaningful place to pause before the final leg into the ACT. The previous stop, Middleton VC Rest Area, lies back along the highway in New South Wales, making Newton VC Rest Area the last NSW tribute site on this remarkable memorial corridor.
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
View all 20 stops
- Sir Roden Cutler VC Rest Area
- Partridge VC Rest Area Southbound
- Kenna VC Rest Area
- Keith Payne VC Rest Area
- Gordon VC Rest Area
- Mackey VC Rest Area
- Kingsbury VC Rest Area
- Chowne VC Rest Area
- Derrick VC Rest Area
- French VC Rest Area
- Kibby VC Rest Area
- Edmondson VC Rest Area
- Gratwick VC Rest Area
- Gurney VC Rest Area
- Badcoe VC Rest Area
- Wheatley VC Rest Area
- Anderson VC Rest Area
- Middleton VC Rest Area
- Newton VC Rest Area
- Edwards VC Rest Area
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EPIC (Exhibition Park Campground)
$? · 19km
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State Forests(1)
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