Guy Newton | |
---|---|
Born | Christchurch, New Zealand | 27 September 1917
Died | 24 July 2018 Melbourne, Australia | (aged 100)
Allegiance | New Zealand |
Service | Royal New Zealand Air Force |
Years of service | 1939–1946 |
Rank | Wing Commander |
Commands | No. 17 Squadron |
Battles / wars | |
Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross Mention in Despatches |
Other work | Businessman |
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.