- Author
- Letter Writer
- Subjects
- Ship histories and stories, Letter to the Editor, 21st century wars/conflict
- Tags
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- December 2008 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
Noting the statement regarding the Sheehan’s family fight for VC, I thought that the enclosures may be of interest to your members.
While there is no denying the bravery of Teddy Sheehan, two other names immediately came out of my memory bank who acted almost identically – Midshipman Robert L Davies RAN (HMS Repulse), and Leading Seaman Ronald ‘Buck’ Taylor (HMAS Yarra). There are probably more but these two stayed in my memory.
LCDR Robert Rankin RAN, HMAS Yarra, an almost identical action as that by Fearless Fogarty Fegan VC of HMS Jervis Bay but received no recognition.
If Captain ‘Hec’ Waller earned the DSO for actions during the Battle of Matapan, what else did he deserve for his actions in the battles of the Java Sea and the Sunda Straits?
If they pursue the VC for Teddy Sheehan, it will open up a Pandora’s box. I don’t think any government could fall into this trap. It just shows how badly members of the RAN were treated when they came under the RN controlled award of honours.
Reading up on some RN history there were several occasions where a Ship was awarded the VC, the Captain, one Officer, one NCO and one sailor wore the medal and the others who served during the actions wore the ribbon. Wouldn’t it have been memorable if HMAS Perth had been afforded this honour?
Yours Sincerely,
Peter Bur