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Location:
Gilbert Street, Latrobe (Walk to Bell's Parade)
Description:
Latrobe is very proud of the contributions made by locals to the various war efforts, none more so than Edward "Teddy" Sheean. The memorial depicts "Teddy's" life as well as his final hours on HMAS Armidale and is also the starting point of "Sheean Walk".The Edward "Teddy" Sheean memorial was officially opened on 12th December, 1992.
Sheean Walkway starts in the main street of Latrobe, at "Teddy Sheean Memorial", then follows the old railway line to the River Road junction, at Bell's Parade. Sheean Walk has a number of plaques detailing the various conflicts of World War II and pays homage to those involved in the Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam and Korean conflicts.
About Edward "Teddy" Sheean
Edward "Teddy" Sheean was born on 28th December, 1923 at Barrington, Tasmania. His family moved to Latrobe and it was here that he attended the local Catholic School, St Patrick's. He received only a basic education before starting to work with his father as a carpenter and wood cutter.On 21st April, 1941, aged l7 years and 4 months, Teddy Sheean enlisted into the Royal Australian Navy as an Ordinary Seaman. During May 1942, Teddy was posted to the new Bathurst Class corvette HMAS ARMIDALE. He helped commission the ship and on completion of her work ups commenced operations along the east coast. On 22nd August, 1942, HMAS Armidale, with Teddy on board, departed Sydney for the last time.
HMAS Armidale carried out escort duties in the North Queensland-Port Moresby-Milne Bay area until arriving in Darwin on 7th November, 1942. After arrival in Darwin HMAS Armidale was allocated to support Australian operations on Timor, the role that would result in the loss of the ship and many of those onboard.
On 1st December, HMAS Armidale came under a sustained Japanese air attack whilst enroute to Timor. Enemy planes came from all directions, including nine bombers, three fighters and a float plane. Two explosions rocked the Armidale causing the "Abandon Ship" order. As the crew were abandoning the ship, Japanese began machine-gunning survivors in the water. When Ordinary-seaman Edward "Teddy" Sheean saw this, although having been wounded twice himself, manned the aft 20mm Oerlikon anti aircraft gun and began shooting at the attacking aircraft. "Teddy" shot down one of the attacking aircraft and damaged two others.
As the Arafura Sea closed over the stern, "Teddy" remained at the gun and continued to engage the enemy aircraft. "Teddy" sacrificing himself to save his shipmates. For this act of selfless bravery he was posthumously Mentioned in Despatches, second only to a posthumous Victoria Cross.
Ordinary Seaman, Edward "Teddy" Sheean has been given the Navy's unprecedented honour of having a Collins Class Submarine named after him. It is believed that this is the first Australian warship to be named for a Junior Sailor of the RAN. Sheean is the fifth submarine of the Collins Class and was commissioned on 23rd February 2001 at HMAS Stirling, Western Australia.
