Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean Memorial and Sheean Walk

The Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean Memorial and Sheean Walk is a military memorial at Latrobe, North West Tasmania. Latrobe is a ten-minute drive south-east of Devonport (9 km).

The Walkway begins in Latrobe’s main street, where you can see the Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean Memorial, commemorating the courage and sacrifice of this young seaman. Born near Latrobe in 1923, Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean served aboard the HMAS Armidale during the World War II.

While en route to Timor in 1942 the Armidale was attacked from the air and destroyed. Although seriously wounded, Teddy Sheean manned an anti-aircraft gun in defence of the Armidale’s survivors, remaining at the gun as the ship sank and sacrificing his life to save his shipmates. Teddy was posthumously Mentioned in Despatches, second only to a posthumous Victoria Cross. A Collins Class Submarine has been named after him – the first Australian warship to be named for a Junior Sailor of the Royal Australian Navy.

You can follow the Sheean Walk from central Latrobe to its conclusion at Bell’s Parade. Plaques placed along the route commemorate the actions of Australian soldiers who fought in World War II and in the Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam and Korean conflicts.