Queen approves Tassie seaman Teddy Sheean’s posthumous Victoria Cross medal

Queen Elizabeth II has approved a Victoria Cross for Tasmanian war hero Teddy Sheean, eight decades after his incredible act of bravery aboard the HMAS Armidale. FULL STORY >>

• Family hails justice for Teddy Sheean after long campaign
• Prime Minister announces Sheean eligible for commendation

QUEEN Elizabeth II has approved a Victoria Cross for Tasmanian war hero Teddy Sheean, eight decades after his incredible act of bravery aboard the HMAS Armidale.

Governor-General David Hurley confirmed the award for Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean today, saying he was “delighted” by the news.

Her Majesty’s approval comes just two Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced he would be recommending Sheean for the highest military award for valour following new evidence from a review panel.

Teddy Sheean is the 101st Australian to be awarded a Victoria Cross since 1900 and the 15th Tasmanian.

He is the first recipient to have served in the Royal Australian Navy.

Sheean’s nephew Garry Ivory, who has campaigned for more than 30 years for justice for his uncle, said he was “over the moon”.

“I can’t explain how I feel. The way I feel is; we’ve got it now and no one can take it off us,” he said.

A colourised picture of posthumous VC recipient Edward “Teddy” Sheean, who was killed in action aboard the HMAS Armidale. Picture: Supplied

Mr Ivory will celebrate this afternoon by cracking a port he was given almost 20 years ago when a submarine named after his uncle was commissioned by the Royal Australian Navy.

“I don’t know whether it’s turned to vinegar or not; whatever it tastes like it’ll be like heaven to me.”

He will celebrate with Veterans Affairs Minister Guy Barnett and Teddy’s friend and WWII veteran Jack Bird.

The Sheean family will donate Teddy’s VC to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra so that it can be shared by all Australians.

It will also be showcased on a tour around Tasmania.

Mr Barnett said today’s announcement “caps off an amazing week and decades of advocacy to recognise Teddy’s bravery and sacrifice for his mates”.

He said it had been “an honour and a pleasure to work with Garry Ivory and the Sheean family these past 17 years”.

“I believe Teddy Sheean is a real hero and demonstrated courage, mateship and sacrifice. This is a special day I will remember for the rest of my life,” Mr Barnett said.

He thanked the Queen, Governor-General, Mr Morrison and thousands of Australians who had supported the campaign for Teddy.

Garry Ivory, nephew of Teddy Sheean. Sheean was recommended by the Prime Minister to be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“Teddy Sheean’s rank was the lowest, an Ordinary Seaman, but on that day in the Timor Sea he displayed extraordinary valour and sacrifice in one of the greatest examples of Australian mateship and selfless sacrifice,” Mr Barnett said.

The 18-year-old sailor refused the chance to board a lifeboat while his ship was sinking, strapped himself to the gun, shot down at least one fighter plan, damaged others and went down with the ship while defending his mates from enemy attack.

“The motto of the HMAS Armidale was ‘Fight On,” Mr Barnett said.

“Whilst years in the making, the fight has been absolutely worth it to achieve this ultimate recognition and honour for Teddy Sheean VC and the entire crew of the HMAS Armidale.”

Mr Morrison said all Australians can share in the joy of this award.

“The decision formalises what we already know: that Teddy Sheean is an Australian hero.”

He said Sheean “fought to the very end” and “chose to save the lives of his shipmates rather than his own” by strapping himself to the gun of the sinking HMAS Armidale in WWII to give his mates a chance to get away.

“This week, we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific,” the Prime Minister said.

“Teddy Sheean never saw war’s end, never saw the peace he helped secure, and did not enjoy the long life that many of his crew mates did. That was the price he paid for his valour.

“I honour the Sheean family and Tasmanians who faithfully kept the case of Teddy Sheean before us all.”

Mr Morrison said “there was never any question to the extent of Teddy’s heroism and valour” but the government had needed to establish a review panel to determine if there was any new evidence about Sheean’s actions, after two previous reviews came up with different findings.

“The Panel’s report found there was compelling new evidence, including new evidence discovered by the Panel, in support of higher recognition for Teddy Sheean, and that Sheean was done a substantial injustice in consideration of his actions in the original decision making period in 1942 to 1943,” Mr Morrison said.

“It found Sheean’s courageous sacrifice of his life to save his shipmates makes him eligible for the Victoria Cross for Australia, and the highest level of recognition should be accorded in this exceptional case.”