Justice for Teddy Sheean at Last

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Guy Barnett, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs 30 November 2020 Justice for Teddy Sheean at last I am delighted that Ordinary Seaman Edward 'Teddy' Sheean' will finally be awarded the Victoria Cross he deserves in a ceremony at Government House tomorrow. This brings to an end the more than three-decade campaign led by Garry Ivory, nephew of Teddy Sheean, on behalf of the Sheean family to see this young Tasmanian’s extraordinary bravery honoured. I acknowledge and thank my good friend Garry Ivory for his tireless work to gain appropriate recognition for the young Lower Barrington-born sailor. Teddy’s Victoria Cross will be the 101st awarded to an Australian, 15th to a Tasmanian and 1st for the Royal Australian Navy. I feel privileged to have been part of the campaign for over 17 years, and am overjoyed to be part of tomorrow’s ceremony along with Garry and other members of the Sheean family. Teddy is a true Tasmanian hero who demonstrated courage, mateship, and sacrifice of the highest order. 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. 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 Garry Ivory, on behalf of the Sheean family, is also planning to donate Teddy's Victoria Cross to the Australian War Memorial. This is a most generous act and all Tasmanians can be thankful. I am also delighted that the Government is pursuing plans to install a life-sized statue of Teddy in Latrobe and is providing up to $50,000 towards the project. .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

NEWSLETTER Ph (02) 6971 9357 Hi Everyone, I Hope Everyone Is Well
Knightleigh Cottages Spring 2020 NEWSLETTER Ph (02) 6971 9357 Hi Everyone, I hope everyone is well. I hope your enjoying your new driveways. It has made an improvement to the village. We will look further into doing a pathway to the old carports hopefully in the near future. Fire Safety Forms If you have not returned your fire safety forms you will notice they are attached to this month’s newsletter. If you ask Pete nicely he will assist you and bring them back to the office. Maintenance Pete will start cleaning your air-conditioner filters this month and next to ensure they are clean coming into summer. If you have noticed your air-conditioners are not working too well please let us know so we can arrange servicing. If you have any maintenance please ensure you call the office to advise so Pete can come prepared with tools to fix Peter’s Scheduled Visits Tuesday 29th September Tuesday 26th October Tuesday 24th November Tuesday 15th December compassionKnightleigh Cottages· respect Newsletter · | Springintegrity 2020 · kindness · inclusiveness Beat The Heat This Summer Drink plenty of water Drink plenty of water even if you do not feel thirsty • If your doctor normally limits your fluids, check how much to drink during hot weather. • Avoid alcoholic, hot or sugary drinks including tea and coffee (they can make dehydration worse). • If you go outside, carry a bottle of water with you. • Stock your fridge with cold water and freezer with ice. Keep your body cool • Drink cold drinks and eat smaller cold meals such as salads and fruit.
[Show full text]
In This Issue
our maritime history & present day news. No. 7 Autumn 2004. cost: gold coin donation Above: ‘Lottah’, a mining town in North-East Tasmania. Painting by Susan Miller in this issue Meet Your Committee Next issue - Maritime aspects of Footnote: The township of Lottah was surveyed Bellerive to Sorell railway by John Hurst, Grandfather of William Nevin A Cook in Hot Water... part 2 Hurst (Surveyor General) and Great Grandfather A Schoolboys Tale... part 4 Coming soon...we present our of William Nevin Hurst II (proprietor of the case to identify ‘Jack the Ripper’, Masterpiece Fine Art Gallery, Sandy Bay, where From the Galley You, our readers, are invited to this painting is presently on display. M.M.T. Pirates Club be the jury! Ila Andrews (Member M.M.T.) has identiﬁed the The Bob Jane Award store at the bottom right hand side of this picture as the Thomas Haley and Son store which was Letters to the editor, quiz and later moved to Pyengana. more Membership Interest education program A meeting was held recently by the membership committee to consider a range of ideas for promoting more Following advertisement to schools through email, there has involvemeny opportunity for Museum members. It is felt been a dramatic increase in the number of classes visiting the that the provision of additional activities and events will Maritime Museum. make membership more desirable. In the third term last year only 10 classes (about 278 children) visited, but this year to date the numbers are 32 classes (about Some suggestions were: visits to the port tower; naval 795 children) of actual and conﬁrmed bookings.Many more ships; cruise ships; Incat & other shipyards, Franklin Wooden activities are now available to visiting classes in the education Boat Centre; and group visits to other places of interest in room above the Museum.
[Show full text]
The Gallipoli Gazette
Vol. 50, No. 3 (New Series) SPRING 2020 THE GALLIPOLI GAZETTE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE GALLIPOLI MEMORIAL CLUB LTD Edward 'Teddy' Sheean VC We review the history of Australia’s latest Victoria Cross winner who died defending his crewmates as HMAS Armidale sank near Timor. The news from Governor- two years at sea when he died and his wife Mary Jane. Soon General David Hurley that Queen while serving on the minesweeper afterwards the family moved to Elizabeth II had approved the HMAS Armidale when it came Latrobe. posthumous awarding of the under heavy attack from Japanese In his teenage years Teddy took Victoria Cross to Edward 'Teddy' aircraft off the coast of Timor-Leste casual work on farms between Sheean marked the end of a long in 1942. Latrobe and Merseylea. In Hobart campaign to gain the award for this Sheean is recorded as helping on 21 April 1941 he enlisted in the Australian World War Two hero. launch life rafts before returning to Royal Australian Naval Reserve as The announcement followed fire at enemy aircraft, despite the an ordinary seaman, following in Prime Minister Scott Morrison order having been given to aban- the steps of five of his brothers recommending the Ordinary don ship. who had joined the armed forces. Seaman be awarded Australia's Edward Sheean was born on After his initial training, he was highest military honour. 28 December 1923 at Lower sent to Flinders Naval Depot, The 18-year-old had less than Barrington, Tasmania, fourteenth Westernport, Victoria, in February child of James Sheean labourer, 1942 for further instruction.
[Show full text]
HMAS ARMIDALE 80Th MEMORIAL 1St December 2022
1 4 9 2 First December HMAS ARMIDALE 80th MEMORIAL 1st December 2022 Armidale NSW 2350 “REMEMBERING HMAS ARMIDALE ASSOCIATION” Peter Savill: [email protected] 0407387401 Angus Callander: [email protected] Welcome back to Newsleer 3 In this leer we present some informaon from Garry Ivory—Nephew of Teddy Sheean A comment made around 2008 by Desmond Woods regarding his feelings of Teddy Sheean’s sacriﬁce An arcle sent by Peter Caldwell tled ‘Such a Short Life’ The memoir of his late father, William Ralph BEECH Should anyone reading this Newsleer have any thoughts or tales to share with the other readers, or any relave that would like to share their story of a late relave associated with HMAS Armidale. Maybe how you are related to the crew member and your memories of stories told to you. Please send the story to me to be shared in Newsleer 4 Many thanks, Peter Savill [email protected] 0407387401 Perth, Western Australia Some good news was received from Garry Ivory, Nephew of Teddy Sheean Garry reports that the Family had a Tribunal hearing in Hobart on March 25/26 with the view to have Teddy Sheean’s actions looked at on its merits. He says the hearing was different from past, because the Tribunal have accepted the fact that it did in fact happen. They say that they [the family] had to convince them that it was an action that should have been awarded the Victoria Cross, but the Chief of Navy gave evidence and he was against any upgrade. The Tribunal Chair asked him that if this action happened in 2019, what award would be recommended and his reply was – ‘A Gallantry Award which includes the VC or Star of Gallantry’.
[Show full text]
2021-22 Teddy Sheean VC Memorial Grants Program – Round One Guidelines
2021-22 Teddy Sheean VC Memorial Grants Program – Round One Guidelines Department of Communities Tasmania About Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean VC Edward “Teddy” Sheean VC was an ordinary seaman serving on HMAS Armidale whose death during a Japanese aerial attack on his ship has become a well-known episode in Australian Second World War lore. Sheean was born at Lower Barrington, Tasmania on 28 December 1923. He received his education in a Catholic school at Latrobe in Tasmania and, having completed his schooling, worked on farms in the area where he grew up. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy Reserves in April 1941 and began his initial training in Tasmania. In February 1942 he was sent to the Flinders Naval Depot at Westernport in Victoria to continue his training, and the following May he was posted to Sydney. At the end of that month, the vessel on which he was billeted, the former ferry Kuttabul, was sunk during the Japanese midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour. Fortunately for Sheean, he was in Tasmania on home leave that night. He returned to Sydney 11 days later to begin his service as an Oerlikon anti-aircraft gunner on the newly commissioned corvette, HMAS Armidale. Armidale spent her early months on relatively uneventful convoy escort duties along Australia’s east and northern coasts. In October 1942 Armidale’s captain, Lieutenant Commander David Richards, was ordered to Darwin and, on 29 November, the corvette began her last operation. Along with two other vessels, she was to undertake a resupply and evacuation mission to Japanese-occupied Timor.
[Show full text]
Barnett and the Department of Defence Re: Sheean [2019] DHAAT 09 (23 July 2019)
Barnett and the Department of Defence re: Sheean [2019] DHAAT 09 (23 July 2019) File number 2018/43 Re The Hon Guy Barnett, MP Applicant And Department of Defence Respondent Tribunal Mr M Sullivan, AO (Presiding Member) Mr D Ashley, AM Brigadier M Bornholt, AM (Retd) Ms N Isenberg Hearing Dates 25 and 26 March 2019 DECISION On 23 July 2019 the Tribunal decided to recommend to the Minister for Defence Personnel that: a) The decision by the Chief of Navy to refuse to recommend the award of the Victoria Cross for Australia to Ordinary Seaman Edward Sheean in respect of his actions in HMAS Armidale during a Japanese aerial attack in the Timor Sea on 1 December 1942 be set aside. b) The Minister recommend to the Sovereign that Ordinary Seaman Edward Sheean be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia for the most conspicuous gallantry and a pre-eminent act of valour in the presence of the enemy in HMAS Armidale during a Japanese aerial attack in the Timor Sea on 1 December 1942. CATCHWORDS DEFENCE HONOUR – posthumous Mention in Despatches – application for Victoria Cross for Australia - merits review - whether the service should be recognised with a higher honour –– eligibility criteria – decision-making – reliance on policy – policy inconsistent with eligibility criteria. LEGISLATION Defence Act 1903 - ss 110V(1), 110VB(1) Defence Act 1903 – ss 110T, 110V(1), 110VA, 110VB(1) Defence Regulation 2016 – Clause 35 Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No.S25 dated 4 February 1991, Victoria Cross Regulations Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No.S25 dated 4 February 1991, Gallantry Decorations Regulations 2 REASONS FOR DECISION Background 1.
[Show full text]
NLA Vic-Tas Newsletter February 2021
FEBRUARY 2021 Editors Ken Crook & Lynda Gilbert Email: [email protected] Web Address: http://navyleague.org.au/ P O Box 146 Warrandyte Vic 3113 Phone 03 9844 0106 “Keeping Watch over the Maritime Wellbeing of Australia” CONTENTS YOUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ............................................................................. 2 WHAT HAS YOUR EXECUTIVE BEEN UP TO? ......................................................... 3 SHIPS’ VISITS TO MELBOURNE ........................................................................... 4 LONSDALE CUP ..................................................................................................... 5 NAP PUBLICATION NOW AVAILABLE ..................................................................... 6 HMAS YARRA II MEMORIAL SERVICE ................................................................... 7 NHSA VICTORIAN CHAPTER - MARCH MEETING .................................................. 8 REX WILLIAMS STEPS DOWN ............................................................................... 9 NAVY NEWS......................................................................................................... 10 TEDDY SHEEAN AWARDED THE VC .................................................................... 13 SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE REPORT ................................................................ 14 Below: HMAS Sheean named after Teddy Sheean – see page 13 Photo credit - HMAS Sheean | Royal Australian Navy 1 The Victoria Tasmania Division Executive was re-elected uncontested. A new member,
[Show full text]
Anzac Day 25 April 2021
ANZAC DAY 25 APRIL 2021 WE WILL REMEMBER THEM During World War One 416,809 Australians enlisted to serve - many never returned. The Australians displayed great courage, endurance, initiative, discipline and mateship. Such qualities came to be known as the ANZAC spirit. 15,485 Tasmanians enlisted in World War One and today more than 10,500 war veterans and ex-service personnel live in Tasmania. This year is the first ANZAC Day where we recognise Tasmania’s most recent Victoria Cross recipient, Ordinary Seaman Edward “Teddy” Sheean. LEST WE FORGET On 25 April each year we call for Tasmanians to remember the sacrifice of all Australians who served our country. In 2021 ANZAC Day commemorations in Hobart will be held in a modified format. The Dawn Service, the March and the commemorative service at the Hobart Cenotaph are ticketed events with pre-registration required. The March will be for veterans only. No entry will be allowed without a ticket, and the community is encouraged to register early. To register your attendance or for more information contact rsltas.org.au/hobart-anzac-day-commemorations Tasmanians can also commemorate ANZAC Day by: • Tuning in to the Australian War Memorial services on ABC TV, ABC Radio, Facebook and iview. • Taking part in your local commemoration. Details at rsltas.org.au/hobart-anzac-day-commemorations • Watching the Hobart March and commemorative service on ABC TV, iview, and ABC Hobart’s and RSL Tasmania’s Facebook pages from 11.00am. 25 APRIL 2021 5.30am Australian War Memorial Services ABC TV, ABC News Channel, ABC RN, ABC Radio, ABC listen app, ABC Australia Facebook and iview The Australian War Memorial Dawn Service and National Ceremony will be broadcast and livestreamed on ABC TV and ABC online.
[Show full text]
And Other Brave Warriors of the Royal Australian Navy
BOOK REVIEW: Honour denied: Teddy Sheean, a Tasmanian hero … and other brave warriors of the Royal Australian Navy by Dr Tom Lewis Avonmore Books: Kent Town, SA; 2016; 318 pp.; ISBN 9780987151971 (soft cover) RRP $34.95; Ursula Davidson Library call number 740 LEWI 2016 Dr Tom Lewis, noted naval historian, has pitched his for the award of the Victoria Cross, which Lewis clearly latest book at a general readership, which is both appro - believes it did (and does), instead of the Mention-in- priate to the subject matter and a pleasing development. Despatches (MID) which he received posthumously in Readers, even those with a naval background, will learn 1943. In support of this view he discusses the rules much about life in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) of surrounding this most prestigious decoration for the early years of World War II, including some gallantry and a history of retrospective awards, and interesting discussions on why young men decided to provides commentary by a Canadian writer on the join the Service, what they could expect of life on the apparent reluctance of the British to bestow Victoria lower deck, rank, promotion and responsibility, and Crosses on members of Dominion navies. Lewis also develop ments in naval warfare, particularly relating to draws parallels between Sheean and similar appeals on gunnery and anti-aircraft defence. the lack of appropriate recognition for the courageous These form an integral part of the first third of the performance of duty by Lieutenant Commander Robert book, which traces the progress of Edward ‘Teddy’ Rankin and Captain Hector Waller when their ships, Sheean from his family home in Latrobe in northern Yarra and Perth, were sunk by superior Japanese Tasmania, towards his destiny in the Australian forces a few months after Armidale was lost.
[Show full text]
Kim Beazley's Plan for Veterans
Australian Labor Kim Beazley - Labor's Plan For Australia's Veterans Party http://www.alp.org.au//media/1001/kbmsvets261001.html National ALP Monday, 29 October 2001 Back ALP News Statements Labor's Plan For Australia's Veterans Kim Beazley - Leader of the Opposition Media Statement - 26 October 2001 Now we have entered the 21st century, it is important that all Australians ensure that the service and sacrifice of our veterans is appropriately recognised. With our ageing veteran population and a constantly changing society, we need to ensure that the service of our veterans is not forgotten. Labor will continue to uphold the values of our veterans through generous compensation arrangements, a detailed commemorative program and a modern repatriation system. Labor will honour the commitments made by previous generations of Australians to recognise our veterans and the contribution made by their partners and families. We will do this through a system of commemoration, compensation, health care, aged care and housing assistance. The initiatives I announce today address many important issues within the veteran community and reflect the consultations Labor has had with veterans and their organisations. There are three policies I wish to emphasise. Extension of the Gold Card Labor will extend the Gold Card to all Australian veterans over 70 with qualifying service, regardless of where and when they served. We believe that those who put their lives at risk to fight for this nation should have free access to optimum health care. Reviews Labor will conduct a two-part independent review. First, there will be a review of the Temporary and Permanent Incapacitated (T&PI) and Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) pensions.
[Show full text]
The Report of the Inquiry Into Unresolved Recognition for Past Acts of Naval and Military Gallantry and Valour
Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal THE REPORT OF THE INQUIRY INTO UNRESOLVED RECOGNITION FOR PAST ACTS OF NAVAL AND MILITARY GALLANTRY AND VALOUR THE REPORT OF THE INQUIRY INTO UNRESOLVED RECOGNITION FOR PAST ACTS OF NAVAL AND MILITARY GALLANTRY AND VALOUR This publication has been published by the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal. Copies of this publication are available on the Tribunal’s website: www.defence-honours-tribunal.gov.au © Commonwealth of Australia 2013 This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal. Editing and design by Biotext, Canberra. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL INQUIRY INTO UNRESOLVED RECOGNITION FOR PAST ACTS OF NAVAL AND MILITARY GALLANTRY AND VALOUR Senator The Hon. David Feeney Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Dear Parliamentary Secretary, I am pleased to present the report of the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal’s Inquiry into Unresolved Recognition for Past Acts of Naval and Military Gallantry and Valour. The Inquiry was conducted in accordance with the Terms of Reference. The Tribunal that conducted the Inquiry arrived unanimously at the findings and recommendations set out in this report. In accordance with the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal Procedural Rules 2011, this report will be published on the Tribunal’s website — www.defence-honours-tribunal.gov.au — 20 working days after
[Show full text]
Newsletter SOUTH NSW 1235
RUSI NSW Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park South, Sydney NSW1 2000 PO Box A778 SYDNEY Newsletter SOUTH NSW 1235 Issue No.60 – March 2021 www.rusinsw.org.au Register to receive this free eNewsletter, click link below [email protected] http://www.rusinsw.org.au/Newsletter Telephone: (02) 8262 2922 Welcome to this month’s issue of the electronic newsletter of the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies NSW, Inc the aim of which is to provide members, stakeholders, and other interested parties up to date news of our latest activities and events as well as selective information on defence issues. In this issue: Catch up with RUSI NSW past lectures online: p.2, General Defence News: p.5, Defence Exercises: p.8, International Defence News p. 11 RUSI NSW members A special welcome is extended to the following new members: Mr Derek Luxford , Mr Martin Mok, and LTCOL Chad Sutton (Ret’d) PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 2/2021 I am honoured to write this introduction to our March RUSI NSW, and to encourage you to look forward to the interesting activities that we are planning to offer from RUSI NSW as we emerge into the vaccinated post COVID 19 environment. The Anzac Memorial The Anzac Memorial conducts three scheduled sessions with guided tours available, each of 1.5 hours duration from 10:00am – 11:30am; 12:30pm – 2:00pm and 2:30pm – 4:00pm on Monday to Friday. Strict physical distancing and hygiene measures are being implemented to protect the health of visitors and staff. You must pre-register your visit by booking your session ticket online via Eventbrite.
[Show full text]