The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded
for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed
forces of some Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire
territories.
The following is an excerpt from the plaque at the rest area,
and is based on the original citation,
William Ellis Newton VC 250748 Flight Lieutenant William Ellis
NEWTON No. 22 Squadron, R.A.A.F 16 March, 1943, on Salamaua
Isthmus, New Guinea
Flight Lieutenant Newton served in New Guinea from May 1942 to
March 1943 and completed 52 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 was again 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
his 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 was buried in the Lae War Cemetery, New
Guinea.
FTF honours go to
McPhan
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