Raymond John Newton
Born 17 Jul 1916 - Died 1 Jan 1945
- Service number
- NZ40984 AWMM
- WWII 40984 AWMM
- Also known as
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Air Force AWMM
- Last rank
- Wing Commander AWMM Royal Air Force, No. 75 (NZ) Squadron AWMM
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
About
- Title
- —
- Forenames
- Raymond John AWMM
- Surname
- Newton AWMM
- Ingoa
- —
- Also known as
- —
- Service number
- NZ40984 AWMM
- WWII 40984 AWMM
- Gender
- Male AWMM
- Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
- —
- Religion
- —
Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 17 Jul 1916 RNZAF Biographies (R17845614)
- Date of birth
- —
- Place of birth
- ChristchurchPublic - John - Researcher - 30 March 2021 - C. Hanson By Such Deeds
- Birth notes
- —
- Address before enlistment
- —
- Post war occupation
- —
- Next of kin
- WW2 Parents: Mr. & Mrs. J. K. Newton of Christchurch AWMM
- Relationship status
- Single/WWII AWMM
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- Campaign
- Europe 1941-42, 1944-1.1.45Public - John - Researcher - 3 April 2020 - Personnel file
- Armed force / branch
- Air Force AWMM
- Service number
- NZ40984 AWMM
- WWII 40984 AWMM
- Military service
- —
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) AWMM
- Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) AWMM
- War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
- New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
- 1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star clasp 'France and Germany', Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45 with Mention in Despatches oak leaf, New Zealand War Service Medal. Additionally the family applied for and were issued the New Zealand Memorial Cross.Public - John - Researcher - 13 November 2023 - Family archives and RNZAF Personnel File which includes records of medals issued.
- DFC awarded August 1942: CITATION
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
(11 Aug 1942)
[75 (NZ) Sqn RAF (Wellington)]
“This officer has carried out many sorties as captain of aircraft on all occasions. Throughout he has displayed great skill and determination. He has on several occasions flown his aircraft safely back though severely damaged by enemy fire. An excellent bomber pilot, and an outstanding Captain, Squadron Leader Newton has set a splendid example.Public - John - Researcher - 3 April 2020 - London Gazette entry and Personnel File
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
- —
- Branch Trade Proficiency
- PilotPublic - Antonio - Researcher - 29 January 2026 - By Such Deeds, p.369: Hanson
- Enlistment
- —
- Age on enlistment
- —
- Occupation before enlistment
- —
Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- —
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
- —
- Days interned
- —
- Liberation date
- —
- POW liberation details
- —
- Liberation Repatriation
- —
- POW serial number
- —
Medical history
- Medical notes
- Killed in Action, Cause of Death AWMM
Presumed AWMM - Lost on his 50th operation, 1.1.45. attack on the Vohwinkel Marshalling Yards, Wuppertal, Germany.Public - John - Researcher - 3 April 2020 - Personnel file
- Killed in Action, Cause of Death AWMM
Last known rank
- Last rank
- Wing Commander AWMM
Royal Air Force, No. 75 (NZ) Squadron AWMM - Promoted Wing Commander 1944 to command 75 (NZ, Lancaster bomber) SquadronPublic - John - Researcher - 3 April 2020 - Personnel file
- Wing Commander AWMM
- Last rank
- —
Biographical information
- Son of John King Newton and Maud Elizabeth Newton of Christchurch
Attended Christchurch Boy's High School (Source: RNZAF Biographies (R17845614)) AWMM - His aircraft, Lancaster ME321 AA-N was intercepted and hit by Hauptmann Heinz Rökker of the 2./NJG 2, flying Junkers Ju 88 G-6 4R+CK from Twente airfield.Public - Antonio - Researcher - 29 January 2026 - RAF Bomber Command Losses, 1945: vv6-26: Chorley
- Ray Newton attended Richmond Primary School and Christchurch Boys' High School. He also studied accountancy at Canterbury University. Hwas worked for Smith and Smith Limited. He was an only son.Public - john - Researcher - 7 April 2015 - Military personnel file and interviews with his nephew. Also confirmed through newspaper cuttings I hold.
- Son of John King Newton and Maud Elizabeth Newton of Christchurch
About death
- Death
- 1 Jan 1945 AWMM
Age 28 AWMM - Date of death
- —
- Age at death
- —
- Place of death
- Shot down over Vilt, near Maastricht, Holland.Public - John - Researcher - 3 April 2020 - Personnel file
- Cause of death
- Killed in Action AWMM
- Suspected shot down by enemy fighter.Public - John - Researcher - 3 April 2020 - Book by Harry Yates, Luck and a Lancaster. Comments by cousin Stan davies
- Death notes
- Ray Newton volunteered to lead the operation with a new crew, including New Zealand pilot Richard Justin Aitchison and his all English crew which had just arrived on the squadron. An apparent navigational error separated them from the bomber stream and they were shot down. The Lancaster hit the ground with a full bomb load still on board, the explosion creating a 7m deep crater. Only remains of the mid upper gunner were found. All other members of the crew, including Ray Newton, are commemorated on the RAF memorial at Runnymede. He was an only son, the death of his son leading to John Newton's hair turning white with the shock. ray Newton,s cousin, Stan Davies, also a pilot on 75 Squadron at the time, spoke to me of the profound shock at the loss of Ray Newton personally and for the squadron.Public - John - Researcher - 3 April 2020 - Newton family sources, personnel file
- Cemetery
- —
- Cemetery name
- —
- Grave reference
- —
- Obituary
- —
- Memorial name
- Runnymede RAF Memorial, England
Christchurch Boys' High School MemorialPublic - John - Researcher - 3 April 2020 - Personnel file - Memorial reference
- —
Memorial
- Memorial name
- Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, United Kingdom AWMM
Sources
- External links
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1077670
Sources Used - RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Ue - Z. Archives New Zealand (R17845617)
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R17845614
Sources Used - List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - List of Personnel Killed or Missing in Various Theatres, 1940 - 1945. Archives New Zealand (R17845745)
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R17845745
Sources Used - Aviation Safety Network:
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/49319Public - Antonio - Researcher - 29 January 2026 - Internet research
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
- References
- Martyn, E. (1998-2008). For Your Tomorrow (Vols. 1-3). Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press.
- RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Na - Py. Archives New Zealand (R17845614) - Former archives reference: AIR118
- Please note that the 11 volumes of the "RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939-1945" held at Archives NZ (formerly known as AIR118) should be used in conjunction with Errol Martyn's "For Your Tomorrow". FYT reflects detailed examination of all of the AIR118 bios which contain many inaccuracies and omissions.
- List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - List of Personnel Killed or Missing in Various Theatres, 1940 - 1945. [List of Missing - United Kingdom, Airmen]. Archives New Zealand (R17845745)
- RAF Bomber Command Losses, 1945: vol 6: Chorley (v6-24)Public - Antonio - Researcher - 29 January 2026 - Personal Copy
- 75nzsquadron.wordpress.com
Original photos and documents relating to Raymond John Newton (family arcPublic - John - Researcher - 3 April 2020 - Family archives/documents/photos
The development of the Online Cenotaph is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided.
Online Cenotaph Data by Auckland War Memorial Museum is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.