HMAS Sheean: VC hero Teddy Sheean’s family take dive in submarine
18 months after Latrobe’s Victoria Cross hero Teddy Sheean finally got recognition for his sacrifice, Collins-class submarine HMAS Sheean arrived in Tasmania’s north for a special mission.
Launceston
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AN Australian Collins-class submarine, HMAS Sheean, has further deepened – quite literally – its bond with northern Tasmania, taking descendants of Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean VC, on a dive under the waves of Bass Strait.
Two descendants, Teddy’s nephew Garry Ivory, who headed the 30-year campaign to have his uncle awarded the Commonwealth’s highest military honour, and great nephew, Dennis Sheean, were welcomed aboard the HMAS Sheean on Thursday.
The pair, alongside Veterans Affairs Minister Guy Barnett, who strongly supported the VC campaign before its eventual success in December 2020, sat at control panels as the submarine descended into the inky waters off the mouth of the Tamar River, dined on lamb bourguignon and duck a l’orange in the mess, crab-walked their way through a tour of the vessel, and ascended the bridge as HMAS Sheean passed the Low Head Lighthouse.
Mr Ivory described the experience as “something I’ll never forget”.
“I’ve been like a kid waiting for his Christmas present and today it’s arrived,” he said.
Mr Sheean, meanwhile said the opportunity to see the submarine in action was a “huge honour”.
He said his great uncle was an “icon in the family” who died while “supporting his naval family”.
Teddy Sheean was born at Lower Barrington, in the state’s North West.
Mr Barnett further elaborated on the courage which 18-year-old Teddy showed on December 1, 1942, when the order came to abandon HMAS Armidale after it sustained torpedo and bomb hits in waters off the Timorese village of Betano.
“Teddy could see his mates getting shot at in the water,” Mr Barnett said.
“He knew what he was doing” when, contrary to the order, Teddy returned to the stricken ship, manned an anti-aircraft gun, and provided covering fire for his hapless shipmates, Mr Barnett said.
He was still firing when the HMAS Armidale fell below the waves, allowing 49 of his comrades to make it to safety.
Mr Barnett said it was a “great honour” to tour HMAS Sheean with Teddy’s descendants.
Meanwhile, Commander Tim Markusson, CO of HMAS Sheean and a submariner of over 30 years with the Canadian and Australian navies, said he and his crew took “inspiration” from their namesake.
“We’re able to look at how he fought for his crew and country, and I can see that in the (HMAS Sheean) sailors,” he said.
“It’s the best part about having that tight connection with the family.
“It allows the crew to connect with people, meet people they otherwise wouldn’t, and understand the roots of the namesake.”
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