Descendant honours Sheean’s VC
• Kate Gofton of Scottsdale and her dad Garry Ivory, great niece and nephew of Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean who was awarded the Victoria Cross last week. Photo supplied.
By Daisy Baker
December 09, 2020
Scottsdale’s Kate Gofton witnessed first-hand the moment her great uncle Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) posthumously at an investiture ceremony in Canberra last Tuesday.
Ordinary Seaman Sheean was the first Navy crew member to be awarded Australia’s highest military honour.
The award was presented to Kate’s dad Garry Ivory who is Sheean’s nephew at Government House.
This was followed by an informal ceremony with the Navy, and a last post ceremony at the Australian War Memorial dedicated to Teddy Sheean.
The family donated Sheean’s VC to the War Memorial.
Australian War Memorial director Matt Anderson said the Sheean family’s donation of Ordinary Seaman Sheean’s medal group to the National Collection was a great honour.
“Teddy Sheean’s actions 78 years ago were nothing short of remarkable. While his heroism has long been recognised in our galleries through a painting depicting his selfless act of valour, he was not where he should have been. Teddy belongs in the company of heroes in the Memorial’s Hall of Valour,” he said.
“Teddy’s family has given Australia an extraordinary gift. We can now display permanently his Victoria Cross medal group so that generations to come can understand the incredible act of bravery and selflessness he exhibited in December 1942.”
Kate said she was thrilled to attend the historical moment which has a deep significance for her family.
“It was an absolute privilege to attend. Probably the most incredible experience of my life,” she said.
“Just the people that we were mixing with was pretty incredible. They treated us with the utmost respect and hospitality was amazing.
“They gave us a special commemorative coin, which was released when the 100th VC was awarded to Cameron Baird. It’s actually inscribed with all the recipients’ names.
“They couldn’t add Teddy’s name but a benefactor paid to have a coin box made with an insert that said he was the 101st recipient.”
Kate said Teddy was one of 15 siblings, and around 20 of his descendants travelled for the occasion.
“My kids have grown up with this story and my dad has campaigned for it for a number of years,” she said.
“It’s nice that it’s come to some kind of conclusion.”
Kate has a set of replica medals which she will donate to the Scottsdale Military Museum once they have been mounted, as a reminder of Sheean’s sacrifice for generations to come.