Colton Daveney enlisted in the RAAF at Wynnum Central, Brisbane, Queensland on 22 June 1942. He was born in Allora on 11 April 1923. Col Daveney started with 24 Squadron RAAF as a Fitter Armourer on 1 October 1943 and stayed with them until April 1944. He then served with 10 Repair and Salvage Unit (10 RSU) at Milne Bay and Nadzab, PNG until February 1945. LAC Colton Daveney was eventually discharged at 6 Aircraft Depot on 21 December 1945.

Whilst servicing aircraft at Madang Air Strip on 14 October 1944, Col and his mates had two surprise visitors wanting fuel. They were a Twin engined Boston (USA) Bomber, which was escorting a single engined Japanese Fighter Plane (possibly a Zero), both flown by American airmen. The Japanese aircraft had the USA Aircraft Emblem on its wings and fuselage.

The Japanese fighter had been found intact on a recently captured Jap Base much further north and it was being flown south, possibly to Lae, for shipment by boat back to the USA for Technical Evaluation.

After refuelling the Japanese aircraft, Col Daveney sat in the cockpit to complete the occasion. "With my hands of the controls it was a very rare moment, as it was in flying condition and I doubt if any other serviceman would have the same experience." Unfortunately the moment was lost, as no one had a camera.