Teddy Sheean now eligible for VC after expert panel decision
Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean is eligible for a VC after an expert panel has verified his heroic works during World War II, fitting the criteria to apply for the commendation. LATEST >>
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PRIME Minister Scott Morrison has recommended Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean for a Victoria Cross for his heroic works during World War II.
Tasmanian sailor Teddy Sheean saved the lives of some of his shipmates in 1942 after ignoring orders to abandon an Australian minesweeper which had come under heavy Japanese fire.
The 18-year-old was able to bring down one plane and damage two more before dying strapped to his weapon, on the HMAS Armidale.
The expert panel which has been in deliberation for several weeks has found Teddy Sheean does deserve the cross, after testing the regulations against his actions, and verifying the actual circumstances which have now turned myth into legend.
Prime Minster Scott Morrison announced today that a report issued by a recent Tribunal Review into the matter had found Sheean to be an eligible recipient for the Victoria Cross.
A previous attempt to recognise Sheean was heavily criticised as his actions were not seen to be worthy of a VC.
Mr Morrison said the report found “compelling new evidence in support for high recognition for Sheean”.
“That Sheean was done a substantial injustice in consideration of his actions in the original decision making period in 1942 to 1943,” he said.
The Prime Minister said he submitted the recommendation to the Governor General and the matter was now before Her Majesty the Queen.
“We will be hopeful for what will come back as a contented response from Her Majesty,” he said.
“Any ambiguity that existed before, or that had been allowed to prevail by acting hastily, that could have undermined the recommendation that we have made.
“So I can now make this recommendation confidently on the basis of the process that we have followed.”
#BREAKING PM Scott Morrison has recommended World War II hero Teddy Sheean be awarded the Victoria Cross, posthumously, after a review unearthed "compelling new evidence" of his bravery @abcnews @politicsabc @abchobart #auspol
— Matthew Doran (@MattDoran91) August 10, 2020
The independent expert panel was convened by Mr Morrison after the Federal Government in May knocked back a recommendation by the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal to posthumously award Sheean the honour.
Panel member Dr Brendan Nelson said that new evidence from Japan has proven Sheean’s actions, and has been parsed through the standards for a Victoria Cross.
“(The) expert panel has found new evidence and that is for the first time we went and actually had a look at the Japanese … records,” Dr Nelson said.
“What the Japanese records show, in meticulous details, is the ship was attacked at the precise location, precise time, by seven so called Betty Bombers – Japanese bombers, and three Japanese Zeros.
“Also, further to that, as the ship sank, the aircraft took enemy fire from the ship and two aircraft were damaged.
The two Japanese Zeros expended 15 per cent of their ammunition putting members of Sheean’s ship under fire.
Verifying these circumstances in part have helped the push for Sheean’s VC bid, as previously the exact circumstances were not recorded in the bid for his commendation.
Mr Morrison said Teddy Sheean’s valour has never been in question, but to ensure the process of the recommendation was important.
“This is an exceptional case and it has taken many years for this case to emerge from the Second World War,” he said.
Outspoken senator Jacqui Labmie, who has long backed the Sheean bid for the VC said she is glad the “pig-headed process” is complete and put Mr Morrison in the firing line.
“No matter how messy, and how stupid, and how pig-headed this whole process to get here has been, I don’t care. I am just so thankful we got here at all,” she said.
“It’s taken too long, and it’s cost us too much, and it’s been a fight for his family that family should have to put up with, but we have got there. This decision today gets right what the Prime Minister got so badly wrong.
“It was his decision to overrule the unanimous and unprecedented recommendation of the independent Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal to award Teddy Sheean a Victoria Cross.
“He’s seen the light and seen sense, and that’s what we expect from our leaders. He has done what we need our leaders to do, and he’s got it right.”
Last month the Mercury reported that Tasmanians have for years pushed for Sheean to be recognised with the country’s highest wartime honour, and his nephew, Garry Ivory, said the review gave the family renewed hope.
“I’m very hopeful this will be the thing that gets us the VC,’’ Mr Ivory said at the time.
“I’ve never given up hope. I’m a little bit excited at the moment, but not overly, because we’ve been shut down before.”
Veterans Affairs Minister Guy Barnett at the time said he was looking forward to reviewing the panel’s terms of reference and again making the case for Sheean to receive a VC.
“I remain of the view that Teddy’s extraordinary bravery deserves our country’s highest honour,’’ Mr Barnett said.
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