Flt Sgt John Lyon
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Flight Sergeant John Lyon (9 April 1916 - 20 March 1943) served in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II. He was captured by the Japanese and executed at Salamua aged 26.
On 18 March 1943 he was the Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (WAG) in an RAAF Boston bomber piloted by Flight Lieutenant 'Bill' Newton VC. The mission was to attack buildings at Salamua which they achieved but the aircraft burst into flames from anti-aircraft fire. The aircraft was successfully ditched and they both swam to the shore. Despite making contact with two friendly natives they were captured by a Japanese patrol and marched back to Salamaua. They were interrogated until 20 May, before being moved to Lae,according to official Japanese records. They were interrogated by the feared Japanese Military Police, the Kempeitai, and John was bayonetted to death shortly after. On 29 March 1943 'Bill' Newton after having been returned to Salamaua was executed by the Japanese naval sub-lieutenant who had captured him, by beheading.
He was married to Mae Georgina Lyon of Footscray, Victoria.
In July 1948 the body of John Lyon was discovered by local men near Lae airstrip. He was buried with full military honours on 13 August 1948 at Lae War Cemetery where he lies near his good friend Bill Newton (William Ellis Newton).
