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Stories
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VC
winner remembered
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Flying
Officer Dave Kelly talks with NSW Governor Dr Marie Bashir
about Flight Lieutenant Bill Newton.
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The
spirit of a VC winner is alive and well at RAAF Base Richmond.
Flight Lieutenant Bill Newton, No. 22 Squadron’s most famous
member, was honoured by the squadron at a recent dining-in night
at the Richmond Sergeant’s Mess.
The inaugural Newton Dinner was addressed by guest of honour NSW
Governor Dr Marie Bashir, who spoke of the legacy and inspiration
of Australian war heroes and veterans such as FLTLT Newton.
Dr Bashir is the Honorary Air Commodore for the squadron, which
provides Aide-de-camp officers to the NSW Governor.
Also present were members of the Newton family – which has
a proud history of service to Australia – including Major Reg
Newton MC (ret’d) whose Army service overseas reflected the
depth of commitment the extended Newton family had given to the
ADF.
FLTLT Newton’s brothers, Captain L. Newton (AIF) and Surgeon
Lieutenant D. Newton (RAN), served in World War II.
Lieuteannt Colonel F. Newton served with the Australian Flying Corps,
Lieutenant Colonel R. Newton served with the 2nd AIF and became
a POW in 1941, and cousin Don Newton served in Malaya flying Sabre
jets out of Butterworth.
At the dinner, Flying Officer David Kelly read an account of FLTLT
Newton’s life.
FLTLT Newton joined the Air Force in 1939 and was called up for
active service in 1940 at the age of 21. In 1941, he joined 22SQN,
serving with an outstanding record in the South West Pacific, flying
52 sorties against the enemy in Boston III aircraft.
On March 16, 1943, his aircraft was shot down and, along with other
surviving crew members, he was taken prisoner by the Japanese and
later executed. He is buried in the Lae War Cemetery in New Guinea.
FLTLT Newton is the only Air Force member awarded the VC in an Australian
Squadron serving in an Australian theatre of war.
The success of the Newton Dinner has prompted squadron members to
make the event an annual fixture on the squadron calendar.
Meanwhile, after a recent 22SQN training weekend at RAAF Base Fairbairn
with 28SQN, a stop was made at the Newton Memorial, situated along
the highway between Sydney and Canberra where memorials have been
constructed to all winners of the Victoria Cross.
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