WWII hero Teddy Sheean receives Victoria Cross 78 years after death

The family of World War II hero Teddy Sheean has finally ­received his Victoria Cross 78 years to the day that he died ­saving his mates.

Garry Ivory — the nephew of Teddy Sheean — with fellow VC recipient Daniel Keighran, right. Picture: Sean Davey

The family of World War II hero Teddy Sheean has finally ­received his Victoria Cross 78 years to the day that he died ­saving his mates.

Sheean, the youngest member of HMAS Armidale, died on ­December 1, 1942, after he strapped himself into an anti-aircraft gun and distracted Japanese forces while his shipmates ­escaped their sinking ship.

After a long campaign to award Sheean the VC, his family finally went to Government House on Tuesday for the investiture ceremony led by Governor-General David Hurley.

Speaking via video from The Lodge, where he is self-isolating after visiting Japan, Scott Morrison said Sheean was still an inspiration to Australians today.

A colourised picture of Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean, who was killed in action aboard the HMAS Armidale.

“To say Teddy Sheean gave his life for his country really doesn’t quite capture the fearless grip he had on it until the very end. Everything he did was deliberate, it was determined, to save his shipmates from being strafed in the sea,” the Prime Minister said.

“Whatever it was that caused Teddy Sheean to act so decisively and determinedly on that afternoon of blue skies and calm seas, we find ourselves being inextricably drawn to it, prompting us to ask ourselves: how can we lead lives as meaningful, as selfless, as courageous as the young life of Teddy Sheean.”

The recognition of Sheean’s bravery comes a week after the ADF’s darkest moment in decades, with the revelations of the Brereton war crimes inquiry.

Chief of the Defence Forces Angus Campbell said Sheean was an ideal of what Australia’s ­defence personnel should be.

“He is a shining example to the men and women of the Australian Defence Force, a beacon by which to navigate,” he said.

Sheean, top left, with fellow ADF personnel. Source: Australian War Memorial

“As we honour Teddy’s heroic actions, we reaffirm the values that he fought to uphold, our values, the values that speak to the modern Defence Force and are as relevant now as they were then. Values of service, of courage, respect, integrity and excellence.”

Defence chiefs were reportedly initially reluctant to support awarding Sheean a posthumous VC as it fell out of the usual protocol for the military’s highest ­honour.