22 November 2024
The Australian Navy Cadets Training Ship Mersey has been renamed Training Ship Sheean to honour the sacrifice of the late Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean, VC, in World War 2.
Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond announced the renaming after a Remembrance Day ceremony in LaTrobe, Tasmania.
A number of dignitaries attended, including Ordinary Seaman Sheean’s nephew Garry Ivory, Tasmanian Veterans' Affairs Minister Guy Barnett and LaTrobe Council Mayor Peter Freshney.
Ordinary Seaman Sheean is the first and only member of the Royal Australian Navy to be awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia. The award was given posthumously by Queen Elizabeth II in 2020.
While serving on board HMAS Armidale in December 1942, the ship came under aerial attack from Japanese aircraft.
Ordinary Seaman Sheean helped free a life raft, allowing his shipmates to escape the sinking ship, before he returned to the ship’s Oerlikon gun and fired at the enemy, hitting at least two of their aircraft.
Despite being wounded in the chest and back, the 18 year old strapped himself to the gun and continued firing until the ship sank, taking him to his death.
'Ordinary Seaman Edward "Teddy" Sheean, VC, was the youngest member of ship’s company and his actions were amongst the most conspicuous and gallant we have seen in our Navy.'
Vice Admiral Hammond said the renaming of the training ship would ensure Ordinary Seaman Sheean’s sacrifice and courage continued to be honoured by future generations.
“Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean, VC, was the youngest member of ship’s company and his actions were amongst the most conspicuous and gallant we have seen in our Navy,” Vice Admiral Hammond said.
“Having served in HMAS Sheean, I know the great honour and pride that comes with serving on a vessel that holds the Sheean name and legacy.”
The formal renaming directive was presented to the training ship’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant David Evison, who said it was a great honour for the cadet unit to carry the name of the only Navy Victoria Cross recipient.
“Navy Cadets have a close relationship with the LaTrobe RSL, which is in close proximity to Lower Barrington where Teddy Sheean was born, so it is a natural fit for us to honour his legacy,” Lieutenant Evison said.
After the renaming ceremony, Vice Admiral Hammond had the additional honour of unveiling a new statue of Ordinary Seaman Sheean.
Funded by the Tasmanian Government and Latrobe Council, the statue was created by international sculptors, Gillie and Marc.
The statue design, led by Latrobe Council, included consultation with Mr Ivory, the Executive of the Latrobe RSL and military uniform expert John Berryman.
Ordinary Seaman Sheean’s service is commemorated in a number of other ways in the local area including the Sheean Walk by the Mersey River, and a memorial to him in Ulverstone.
