Archer 'hugely disappointed' by feds' Sheean snub

Ms Archer said she was "hugely disappointed" that the government had opted to overrule the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal's recommendation that Ordinary Seaman Sheean be honoured with a Victoria Cross for Australia.

"There is no doubt in my mind that Teddy was a hero and his valour is not in question," she said in a Facebook post yesterday.

IN OTHER NEWS:

"My Tasmanian federal Liberal colleagues and I have previously written to the Prime Minister asking for the tribunal report to be released and asked that the tribunal recommendations be acted upon.

"I'll be seeking some further information as to how this has occurred and will keep fighting for Teddy to receive the recognition he deserves."

A review of the courageous acts of Sheean and 12 other naval and military personnel was undertaken by the tribunal in 2011-13, concluding that Sheean should not be given further recognition for his bravery.

Last year, a second review of Sheean's actions was conducted. The tribunal handed down a report in July, recommending that the Defence Minister recommend to the Sovereign that Sheean be posthumously awarded a VC, which denotes that the recipient displayed either gallantry, valour, self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the face of the enemy.

However, the report wasn't released publicly until this week.

Sheean's heroic last stand on the HMAS Armidale on December 1, 1942 has been immortalised in a famous painting hanging at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. The Royal Australian Navy, moreover, named one of its Collins-class submarines - the HMAS Sheean - after him.

It was not long before 2pm on December 1, 1942, when at least 13 Japanese aircraft attacked the Armidale off the coast of present-day East Timor. After torpedoes struck the vessel, followed by a bomb, the crew was ordered to abandon ship.

As the Armidale sunk, the 18-year-old Sheean - after helping to deploy a life-raft - strapped himself to an anti-aircraft gun in a desperate attempt to protect his surviving ship-mates, firing at the bombers despite having been wounded in his chest and back.

Sheean was not among the 49 survivors of the Japanese assault and was mentioned in dispatches for his acts of bravery.

While Ms Archer has objected to the government's decision, Gavin Pearce, her Liberal counterpart in Braddon, says he is satisfied that Sheean's case has been adequately considered.

"As a proud Tasmanian and former Australian serviceman, I have been unwavering in my support for recognition of Ordinary Seaman Edward 'Teddy' Sheean," Mr Pearce said in a statement. "I, more than most, understand both Ordinary Seaman Sheean's sacrifice and the paramount importance of protecting the sanctity of the process in awarding a Victoria Cross."

RELATED:

"I understand the disappointment felt by Ordinary Seaman Sheean's family and supporters at the outcome, but I am satisfied that the matter has been considered comprehensively.

"The decision not to recommend a Victoria Cross for Ordinary Seaman Sheean in no way diminishes his extraordinarily brave actions on December 1, 1942."

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds told the Senate on Wednesday that there was a lack of compelling new evidence to justify awarding Sheean a VC, despite the tribunal saying otherwise.

Sheean's birthplace of Lower Barrington falls in Labor MHR Brian Mitchell's electorate of Lyons. Mr Mitchell said the government's ignorance of the tribunal's advice was a "dreadful error" and that he would be working with his colleagues in Canberra to have it rectified.

What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor: