William Ellis Newton

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The front cover of Bill Newton VC, the Short Life of a RAAF Hero, by Mark Weate, Australian Military History Publications, 1999.

William Ellis "Bill" Newton, VC (8 June 1919-29 March 1943), was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) bomber pilot during World War II. Newton was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to Commonwealth forces.

Newton was born in St Kilda, Melbourne. He was educated to Intermediate certificate level at Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, where he was regarded as having leadership abilities. Newton was 191 cm (6ft 3 in) tall, weighed 102 kg (16 stone) and was a good all-round sportsman who played cricket for the Victorian Cricket Association Second XI. He worked in a silk warehouse before enlisting in the RAAF in February 1940. Newton qualified as a pilot and was commissioned as an officer in June. After serving as a flying instructor, he was posted in May 1942 to No. 22 Squadron RAAF, at Port Moresby, New Guinea, flying Boston bombers.

On 16 March 1943, Newton — now a Flight Lieutenant — led an attack on Salamaua in which his aircraft was hit repeatedly by Japanese anti-aircraft fire. In spite of this he continued through heavy fire and dropped his bombs at low level on buildings and fuel dumps. Newton managed to get his crippled machine back to base.

Two days later, he made an attack on Salamaua with five other Bostons and hit his designated target, but this time the aircraft burst into flames. Newton managed to ditch it in the sea. He and his wireless operator/air gunner, Flt Sgt John Lyon, survived the ditching and were observed swimming for shore.

Newton and Lyon made contact with two friendly natives, but were soon captured by a Japanese patrol and taken back to Salamaua where they were interrogated until May 20, before being moved to Lae, according to official Japanese records. They were interrogated by the feared Japanese military police, the Kempeitai. John Lyon was bayoneted to death shortly afterwards.

Newton was later returned to Salamaua. On March 29, 1943, he was beheaded by the Japanese naval sub-lieutenant who had captured him. He was buried initially in Salamaua Cemetery, but in January 1946, was moved to Lae War Cemetery. In July 1948, the body of John Lyon was discovered near Lae airstrip. He was buried with full military honours near Newton. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial Canberra.