A life-size statue of Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean VC has been unveiled in Latrobe today as the nation commemorates Remembrance Day.
Deputy Premier Guy Barnett paid tribute to Sheean’s legacy at the unveiling ceremony on Monday, alongside Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, Latrobe Council Mayor Peter Freshney and Sheean’s nephew Garry Ivory.
“Teddy, a proud Tasmanian, displayed remarkable courage on 1 December 1942 when HMAS Armidale was under heavy attack by enemy aircraft,” Barnett said.
“His actions saved many lives and in 2020 he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, Australia’s highest military honour.”
Sheean remained at his gun station on the bridge of HMAS Armidale, firing at attacking aircraft as the ship sank, despite being fatally wounded.
His last words, reportedly directed at the captain, were: “F…k ’em. They won’t get me.”
The statue, which stands in the town square of Latrobe, is a collaboration between the Tasmanian and Latrobe Municipal governments.
Barnett said he has written to the federal government requesting that the Collins-class submarine HMAS Sheean be gifted to Tasmania upon its decommissioning as another reminder of the sailor’s heroism.
“We’re fortunate to have this physical reminder of Teddy here in Tasmania,” he said.
“It allows future generations of Tasmanians to gaze upon the face of heroism.”
