Tassie war hero honoured in Victoria Cross ceremony
In a moving ceremony on the 78th anniversary of his heroic sacrifice, Tasmanian war hero Teddy Sheean was finally awarded the Victoria Cross.
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On a warm summer’s day in Canberra on the 78th anniversary of his heroic sacrifice for his country and his mates, Tasmanian war hero Teddy Sheean was finally awarded the Victoria Cross.
Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean’s family openly shed tears as the 18-year-old from Latrobe was honoured for his valour by Governor-General David Hurley, Chief of the Australian Defence Force Angus Campbell and Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
He was remembered as a young man who was “charismatic, popular, loud and bursting with confidence”, who was “fiercely loyal” and made the ultimate sacrifice for his mates.
Sheean’s nephew Garry Ivory, who has campaigned for 32 years for this day, accepted the nation’s top bravery medal on behalf of his uncle at a ceremony at Government House.
Thousands of kilometres away off the coast of East Timor where her predecessor sunk in World War II, the crew of the HMAS Armidale held their own ceremony to lay wreaths in the water, honouring Teddy’s last act.Governor-General Hurley said Sheean’s sacrifice was “inspirational, and it should inspire us”.
“At that moment, Teddy Sheean exemplified the characteristics that the first Anzacs left us - mateship, endurance, courage and sacrifice.”
General Campbell also marvelled at the courage of the 18-year-old who was new to the Navy and who wasn’t a high-ranking officer with the responsibility of a commander to their crew.
“He was an Ordinary Seaman who displayed extraordinary courage. He disobeyed an order issued for his own safety.
He saw the lives of his mates, vulnerable and under attack in the Timor Sea, and he felt compelled to act,” the Defence Force chief said.
“As a parent, it’s hard not to think of the dreams that Teddy’s family would have had for his future.
Teddy relinquished that future so that those he cared for might cling slightly to their own.
“As the Armidale slipped below the waves, he remained strapped to the gun, serving his country and his mates to the last beat of his heart.”
Mr Morrison wondered at the strength and selflessness it took for Sheean to give up the chance at a possible rescue, climb a listing deck, strap himself in and fire at enemy aircraft as he slipped beneath the waves. “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,” Mr Morrison said.
“Everything he did was deliberate; he was determined to save his ship mates from being stranded in the sea.”
The Prime Minister also honoured the Sheean family’s fight for his bravery to be acknowledged with the Victoria Cross, which was only granted by Queen Elizabeth in August after the latest in a series of reviews found new evidence about his actions.
He recalled British poet Thomas Mordaunt’s famous quote: “One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name.”
Mr Ivory said all Tasmanians and Australians would be proud today, along with the Sheean family.
“I feel so full, I think I’m going to burst with pride,” he said after the ceremony. “I’m sure he was with me today.”
EARLIER:
WAR hero Teddy Sheean will be awarded the Victoria Cross for his extraordinary bravery in World War II at an official investiture ceremony in Canberra today.
It will be 78 years to the day since the 18-year-old Tasmanian strapped himself to a gun aboard the HMAS Armidale to shoot down enemy planes, sacrificing his life to save his mates.
Sheean’s nephew Garry Ivory was “on top of the world” as he arrived in Canberra yesterday.
After more than 30 years of tireless campaigning for his uncle to be awarded the Victoria Cross, Mr Ivory said: “It will be one of those days I’ll never forget.”
Mr Ivory said his uncle would be “very proud” to be awarded the VC.
“He’d probably wonder what all the fuss was about but I’m sure he would be very proud if he’s up there looking down,” he said.
Queen Elizabeth approved the posthumous VC for Sheean in August after the Australian Government officially requested the honour following a review of his act of bravery, which found new evidence.
He will be the 101st Australian to be awarded a Victoria Cross since 1900 and the 15th Tasmanian.
“Though Teddy Sheean’s bravery and name has always been known, we all know this honour did not come easy,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the Mercury.
“It is to the credit of his family and supporters that they lived out the motto of HMAS Sheean: Fight on!”
Mr Morrison said Sheean would “take his place as one of the guiding lights of the country he served.”
Governor-General David Hurley said the ceremony would be a celebration of Sheean and his “selfless act of gallantry”, which embodied the spirit of the Anzacs.
“It is an inspiring story and one that resonates to this day,” he said.
“It will also be celebration for the Sheean family and all those who have advocated for Teddy. “Their efforts have ensured Teddy’s bravery is recognised and that the current generation know of him, his sacrifice and what it means today.”
State Veterans’ Affairs Minister Guy Barnett said Sheean was “a true Tasmanian hero who demonstrated courage, mateship, and sacrifice of the highest order”.
After campaigning with Sheean’s family for more than 17 years, Mr Barnett said he was “overjoyed” to be there for the ceremony.
“All Tasmanians, the Royal Australian Navy and the veteran community should be immensely proud of his actions aboard the HMAS Armidale on 1 December 1942,” he said.
“Teddy will also be honoured with a Last Post ceremony at the Australian War Memorial after the investiture on the 78th anniversary of the Armidale’s sinking, and I am honoured to be invited to lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Tasmania at the ceremony.”
Choral tribute will ring out as Teddy receives his VC
TASMANIAN war hero Edward Teddy Sheean will posthumously receive his Victoria Cross for bravery in Canberra on December 1 as a choral of local young voices sing a composition praising his bravery on YouTube.
December 1 is the 78th anniversary of the sinking of HMAS Armidale and due to COVID-19 restrictions only a handful of family members and dignitaries will be able to attend the historic investiture ceremony in Canberra.
The insignia of the Victoria will be presented to Ordinary Seaman’s family by the Governor-General of Australia David Hurley.
His Excellency and Mrs Hurley met with Teddy’s descendants in Latrobe this week to hear about their memories of him and what the awarding of the Victoria Cross means to the community.
The Latrobe Council has received a grant of $50,000 to erect a statue of Teddy in the North West town.
Veteran Affairs Minister Guy Barnett said he was so pleased and proud to be part of the campaign to have the Tasmanian recognised.
“Justice will be served at last. This is a fantastic result,’ Mr Barnett said.
Chief of the Royal Australian Navy Vice Admiral Michael Noonan said Teddy do not choose sacrifice in an attempt to win a war. He did it to save his friends, his shipmates, his navy family.
To help mark what is a big day for Tasmania, the Young Voices of Hobart, along with five other local choral groups, has recorded a song called “No Ordinary Seaman” by Tasmanian composer Aaron Powell.
“As a composer, I was inspired by the actions of Teddy Sheean and felt that it was a
story that should be told through song. As a teacher, I felt it was important to share the story with as many young singers as possible so they too could learn about Teddy’s bravery,” Mr Powell said.
The song was composed before Tasmania learnt Teddy Sheean would finally receive the Victorian Cross after a decades long fight for recognition.
Mr Powell contacted Sheean’s nephew, Garry Ivory, to gain permission to have the song performed.
“He was generous with his time to check the lyrics for accuracy, and I am grateful that he gave us his blessing to learn the song” Mr Powell said.
It was hoped the song could be performed at the medal ceremony.
But due to COVID-19 restrictions, the ceremony will be held in Canberra with only a small number of family members and dignitaries in attendance.
The song will be premiered on YouTube on Tuesday December 1.
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