Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Rest Area with shelter and story board

Plaque :

William Newton VC Rest Area

Dedicated to the memory of a gallant soldier who gave his life for his comrades and his country.

250748 Flight Lieutenant William Ellis Newton
No. 22 Squadron, RAAF
16 March, 1943, on Salamaua Isthmus, New Guinea

Flight Lieutenant William Ellis Newton served in New Guinea from May 1942 to March 1943 and completed 53 operational sorties. When leading an attack on 16 March 1943 his Boston aircraft was hit repeatedly and although it was crippled he managed to return the aircraft to base and make a successful landing. He returned next day to the same location. His aircraft again was hit and it burst into flames.

" Flight Lieutenant Newton maintained control and calmly turned his aircraft away and flew along the shore. He saw it as his duty to keep the aircraft in the air and to take his crew as far away as possible from the enemy`s positions. With great skill he brought this blazing aircraft down on the water." Two members of the crew extricated themselves and were seen swimming to shore. One of them was Flight Lieutenant Newton. He was captured and later executed on 29 March, 1943, at Salamaua, New Guinea.

"Without regard to his own safety, he had done all that man could do to prevent his crew falling into enemy hands. Flight Lieutenant Newton`s many examples of conspicuous bravery have rarely been equalled and will serve as a shining inspiration to all who follow him." (London Gazette : 19 October 1943).

William Ellis Newton was born at St. Kilda, Victoria on 8th June, 1919. His body was recovered when Salamaua was recaptured by Australian troops and he is buried at the Lae War Cemetery.

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