A brave and determined man

Flight Lieutenant W. E. Newton.

By David Wilson

FLIGHT Lieutenant William Ellis “Bill” Newton’s aggressive temperament brought him to prominence in Australian Rules football and first-class cricket, earned him the Victoria Cross – and also cost him his life.

He was the only member of the RAAF to be awarded the Victoria Cross for operations in the Pacific theatre during World War II.

FLTLT Newton spent a period of time as an instructor but that did not suit his character.
He welcomed his transfer to No. 22 Squadron, where he became a popular member renowned for his determination and disdain for evasive manoeuvres.

The 23-year-old pilot from St Kilda flew 52 sorties with No. 22 Squadron in his A20 Boston aircraft.

He and his crew had an important part in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, strafing the Lae aerodrome on March 3, 1943, to prevent its use by defending Japanese aircraft.

On March 16 his aircraft was badly damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire during a low-level attack on Salamaua in New Guinea.

Two days later, during a strike on the same target, his aircraft was again hit. With an engine on fire, he ditched in the sea in an attempt to save his crew. Sergeant Basil Eastwood was killed, but Sergeant John Lyon and Newton swam ashore, where they were captured by the Japanese. Both were later killed.

FLTLT Newton was ceremonially executed by the Japanese on March 29, 1943.

He was posthumously awarded the VC for “his many examples of conspicuous bravery in New Guinea”.

• David Wilson is the Executive Officer, RAAF Historical Records, Aerospace Centre.

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