Born Waimate, 4/07/1916. Son of Angus James and Margaret Sheddan (nee McKee). Attended Waihao Downs School and later worked as a labourer on the estate of RA Richards, Elephant Hill near Waihao Downs. Joined the RNZAF as an Airman Pilot under training on 9/11/1941. He was killed on air operations on 20/12/1943.

His only brother, Jim Sheddan, was also in the air force. A fighter pilot he was credited with seven and a half confirmed kills, and finished the war as a Squadron Leader and Commanding Officer of 486 Squadron.

In his words, “Our Alex, a Flight Sergeant in 166 Squadron, was killed on 20 December 1943 (in Lancaster R5552 P2-I) and like so many, was on his first operation.”

“At the time I’d been in England on Spitfires since 1942 and knew of the high losses, but it still came as a shock. Mother never really got over it.” (Wheeler (2010) p20)