Re-named ship, Latrobe statue, to honour VC winner Edward “Teddy” Sheean on Remembrance Day
The family of Victoria Cross recipient, Edward “Teddy” Sheean, hopes the re-naming of a naval cadet training ship in his honour inspires the next generation to follow his example of service.
Tasmania
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The family of Tasmanian Victoria Cross recipient, Edward “Teddy” Sheean, hopes the re-naming of a naval cadet training ship in his honour will inspire the state’s next generation to follow his example of national service.
Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO, will on Monday deliver the keynote Remembrance Day speech in Latrobe, where he will announce the Australian Navy Cadets Training Ship Mersey will now be known as Training Ship Sheean.
The service will also include the unveiling of a life-sized statue of Ordinary Seaman Sheean, who is the first and only Royal Australian Navy member awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia.
The young Tasmanian was recognised for his actions aboard the HMAS Armidale on December 1, 1942, when he strapped himself to the sinking corvette’s anti-aircraft gun to protect fellow sailors before he was killed.
In 2020, after a lengthy campaign, Sheean was posthumously awarded Australia’s highest military honour.
Sheean’s nephew, Garry Ivory, said he hoped the new statue of his uncle – and the renaming of the training ship – could help recruit more Tasmanians into service.
“This means the world to his family, because people are going to know Teddy Sheean’s story for generations to come,” Mr Ivory said.
“This is a great thing because it can only help with recruiting purposes.
“I’m looking forward to helping unveil the statue, and will be taking with me former Tasmanian minister, Gill James.
“Gill was one of the first politicians I ever contacted about getting recognition for Teddy, and she was fantastic and worked tirelessly.
“So to have Gill there with Minister Guy Barnett will represent the beginning and end of that campaign.”
Vice Admiral Hammond said the renaming of the training ship – which will now also share a name with Collins class submarine HMAS Sheean – would ensure the Tasmanian war hero’s sacrifice continued to be honoured by future generations.
“Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean, VC, was the youngest member of ship’s company and his actions were among the most conspicuous, and gallant we have seen in our Navy,” Vice Admiral Hammond said.
“Having served on HMAS Sheean, I know the great honour and pride that comes with serving on a vessel that holds the Sheean name and legacy.”
Commanding Officer of Training Ship Sheean, Lieutenant David Evison, said it was an immense honour for the cadet unit to carry the name of the only Navy Victorian Cross
recipient.
“Navy Cadets have a close relationship with the Latrobe RSL, which is in close proximity to Lower Barrington where Teddy Sheean was born, so it is a natural fit for us to honour his legacy,” Lieutenant Evison said.
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Originally published as Re-named ship, Latrobe statue, to honour VC winner Edward “Teddy” Sheean on Remembrance Day
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