Garry Ivory
GOVERNOR-General Quentin Bryce will not intervene in a furore over Tasmanian war hero Teddy Sheean after a relative said yesterday he wanted her help.
Punchbowl man Garry Ivory has been working for 20 years for his late uncle, Ordinary Seaman Edward ``Teddy'' Sheean, to be awarded a Victoria Cross, the top gallantry award, for his actions in World War II.
On Friday, the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal rejected submissions by Mr Ivory and others for his uncle to be posthumously awarded a Victoria Cross.
The tribunal said in a report Ordinary Seaman Sheean's actions did not reach the ``particularly high standard'' of gallantry needed for a Victoria Cross.
Mr Ivory said that was a stain on his uncle's honour and he would write to Ms Bryce asking for the report's bravery reference to be changed.
A spokesperson for Ms Bryce said: ``The Governor-General has no involvement with the tribunal's decision-making process.
``However, the courageous actions of Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean are remembered as highlighting a commitment to duty and service that is championed by our Australian Defence Force personnel.
``With the advice of the Prime Minister and Defence Minister, and the approval of Her Majesty The Queen, the Governor-General presents the Victoria Cross for Australia as the Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force.''
Ordinary Seaman Sheean died in 1942, aged 18, near the island of Timor when he went down with his ship strapped to his gun firing at attacking Japanese planes.
Mr Ivory said he did not agree with the tribunal's assessment of his uncle's actions.
``How the hell can you be any braver than strapping yourself into a gun to the point of no return,'' Mr Ivory said.
``I think his bravery and what he did was equal to any recipient of the Victoria Cross I have read about.''
