A written submission to the British Admiralty has breathed new life into a 27-year campaign to properly recognise Tasmanian war hero Teddy Sheean.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ordinary Seaman Sheean’s nephew Garry Ivory and Liberal Lyons MP Guy Barnett announced on Saturday they would be stepping up the campaign for Sheean to be awarded a Victoria Cross by submitting the document.
Mr Barnett said while the submission was “a long shot”, he remained hopeful Sheean would receive the recognition he deserved.
“We have found a commendation (for Sheean) from Commander David Richards to the British Admiralty and it was never acted on, so we are seeking the support and the reconsideration by the British Admiralty of an appropriate award - we would hope a Victoria Cross - for Teddy Sheean,” Mr Barnett said.
Mr Ivory said he hoped the submission would bring his uncle’s cause one step closer to fruition.
“We feel that we're getting closer every time because the support that’s come from around Australia is unbelievable,” Mr Ivory said.
“It'd mean everything to the family, we'd donate it straight to the Canberra War Memorial and put it in the Hall of Valor where it belongs.
“All of Teddy's siblings have now passed away and we feel that he deserved a Victoria Cross and we'll never give up - at least while I'm still kicking.”
Teddy Sheean died in battle in November 1942 when Japanese planes sunk the HMAS Armidale off the island of Timor.
Despite being ordered to abandon ship, Ordinary Seaman Sheean strapped himself to a gun and kept firing until he was killed, bringing down one enemy plane and damaging another.