Guy Newton (RNZAF officer)

Guy Newton
Newton in his Kittyhawk, which is being rearmed, November 1942
Born(1917-09-27)27 September 1917
Christchurch, New Zealand
Died24 July 2018(2018-07-24) (aged 100)
Melbourne, Australia
AllegianceNew Zealand
Service / branchRoyal New Zealand Air Force
Years of service1939–1946
RankWing Commander
CommandsNo. 17 Squadron
Battles / wars
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross
Mention in Despatches
Other workBusinessman

Percival Guy Haig Newton, DFC (29 September 1917 – 24 July 2018) was a flying ace of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with the destruction of at least five enemy aircraft.

Born in Christchurch, Newton joined the Royal Air Force in 1939 but did his flying training in New Zealand with the RNZAF. By the time his training was complete, the Second World War had started and he transferred to the RNZAF. He spent several months on instructing duties before being posted to No. 17 Squadron as a flight commander. In July 1943 he became commanding officer of the squadron and served in the South West Pacific theatre for several months before returning to New Zealand. He spent the rest of the war on staff duties, and was promoted to wing commander in 1945. On returning to civilian life, he worked in the engineering industry and later joined General Motors New Zealand. He subsequently held senior roles with subsidiaries of General Motors before retiring to Melbourne, Australia, in 1980. He died there in 2018, aged 100.