Bid to bring Teddy Sheean’s Victoria Cross ceremony to home town of Latrobe, Tasmania

“He has been recognised and revered here for decades and it is appropriate that his story — a quintessential tale of true mateship — is finalised where it began,” Latrobe Mayor Peter Freshney says.

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TASMANIANS who banded together for the honour of local war hero Teddy Sheean have launched a fresh campaign to have his Victoria Cross ceremony held in his home town of Latrobe.

“The community has owned this process, they feel part of it,” Mayor Peter Freshney said as Latrobe was buzzing last week with the news that the Queen had approved a recommendation Ordinary Seaman “Teddy” Sheean be posthumously awarded Australia’s top military honour.

Latrobe mayor Peter Freshney at Sheean Walk. Picture: GRANT WELLS

“He has been recognised and revered here for decades, and it is appropriate that his story — a quintessential tale of true mateship — is finalised where it began.”

Sheean’s nephew Garry Ivory, who was instrumental in convincing authorities his uncle’s brave actions needed to be fully recognised, said he hoped the Royal Australian Navy would agree to holding the ceremony in Latrobe on the date he has put forward, December 1.

It would be 78 years to the day after Sheean stuck to his guns, saving his mates as his ship, the HMAS Armidale, sank under fierce bombing from the Japanese.

Mr Ivory said he had been asked for his input on the shape of the official Victoria Cross ceremony as the medal is being minted in London.

“I have suggested Latrobe on December 1, but no decisions can be made until the VC medal arrives from England,” Mr Ivory said.

“At this stage it is either Canberra or Latrobe and COVID-19 complications will play a part in the final decision.

“But it would be wonderful to hold it locally. The Governor-General and the Prime Minister and their entourage could come on a private plane and Tasmanians who have supported our campaign can be part of the final chapter.”

When young Edward ­Sheean left Tasmania to serve in World War II he would have had no idea that almost 80 years later he would be regarded as a war hero.

The unassuming 18-year-old, born the second youngest of 13 surviving children in Lower Barrington in 1923, would also be surprised to learn that by 2020 a Collins Class submarine, a busy walkway and a bar in Latrobe had been named after him.

A memorial stone on the cenotaph at Latrobe. Picture: GRANT WELLS

Last week people raised a glass at that very bar after Sheean had become the 15th Tasmanian to receive a Vic­toria Cross.

On August 10, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Ordinary Seaman Edward Sheean had been recommended to receive the nation’s highest military honour for valour — and on Wednesday the Queen confirmed it.

The announcement came after a decades-long campaign by his supporters, including Mr Ivory, Liberal MP Guy Barnett, Tasmanian independent Senator Jacqui Lambie and the ­Latrobe Council.

Latrobe RSL president Jeff Garwood, who along with Miles Ford was behind the establishment of the Teddy Sheean Walk in the centre of town, said the community had been talking of little else since the news came through.

President of the Latrobe RSL, Jeff Garwood. Picture: GRANT WELLS

“He is our hometown boy,” Mr Garwood said as he raised a glass to Teddy.

“The bar was named in his honour in 1942. Having the VC ceremony here would really make the town. We are extremely proud of Teddy and to be part of the official celebration would mean a lot to us.”

Sheean attended Latrobe’s Catholic school and members of his family still attend St Patrick’s today.

Six-year-old Xavier Parker can tell you when Sheean was born and when he went down with his ship.

Relatives of Teddy Sheean, Matilda Hayes and Xavier Parker are very happy he is to be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Picture: GRANT WELLS

Fellow Sheean relative ­Matilda Hayes, 11, said her family was very proud that the sailor’s bravery had been recognised with a Victoria Cross.

“I had heard the story growing up,” she said. “As I get older I understand more how brave he actually was. I can’t imagine doing that at 18 years of age.”

Veterans Affairs Minister Guy Barnett said Tasmania had a distinguished military history.

“A staggering 15 Tasmanians have now received this award since Trooper John Bisdee received the first VC in 1900 in the Boer War,” he said.

“Teddy Sheean was the lowest-ranked sailor on the HMAS Armidale in 1942 and yet performed the most extraordinary act of bravery and sacrifice to protect his mates — the epitome of what the Victoria Cross represents.”