Queen's Scarf

The Queen's Scarf was awarded to British and colonial soldiers for bravery during the Second Boer War (1899–1902). Eight scarves were personally crocheted by Queen Victoria and presented to soldiers.

Lord Roberts wrote on 1 March 1902 that "his Lordship desires to place on record that in April 1900, her late Majesty Queen Victoria was graciously pleased to send him four woollen scarves worked by herself, for distribution to the four most distinguished private soldiers in the Colonial Forces of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, then serving under his command. The selection for these gifts of honour was made by the officers commanding the contingents concerned, it being understood that gallant conduct in the field was to be considered the Primary qualification".[1]

Status

There was some speculation that the award of the Queen's Scarf was equivalent to that of the Victoria Cross. The New Zealand Government asked that the title be used in the Army List, but permission to do so was denied by the Secretary of State for War in 1902. In 1956, a relative of one of the holders asked to attend the centenary celebrations for the VC, but was told that it was not equal in status to the VC.[2]

Recipients
  • Colour Sergeant F F Ferrett DCM, Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment - Battle of Colenso.[2]
  • Colour Sergeant F Kingsley DCM, 2nd West Yorkshire Regiment.
  • Colour Sergeant H Clay DCM, 2nd East Surrey Regiment - wounded at Colenso and at Vaalkrantz.[3]
  • Sergeant W Colclough, 2nd Devonshire Regiment.[4]
  • Private Dufrayer, New South Wales Mounted Infantry - rescued a dismounted comrade under heavy fire on April 11, 1900.[5]
  • Private R R Thompson, Royal Canadian Regiment - went to the aid of wounded comrades at Paardeberg on 18 and 27 February 1900.[6][7]
  • Trooper Henry Coutts, (1st New Zealand Contingent) - rescued a wounded mate caught in an ambush at Sanna's Post on 31 March 1900.[8][9]
  • South Africa - Trooper Leonard Chadwick, Roberts' Horse. A previous winner of the United States Medal of Honor.[10]
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References
  1. "Anglo Boer War website - Queen's Scarf". Angloboerwar.com. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  2. "Queen Victoria's Scarves". Queensroyalsurreys.org.uk. 1902-06-04. Retrieved 2016-05-30.
  3. "Sergeant Clay's scarf woven by Queen Victoria". Armytigers.com. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  4. "Presentation Scarf Knitted by Queen Victoria Awarded to Sgt. William Colclough". Heritage Auctions. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  5. "Queen's Scarf Awarded to A. Du Frayer | Australian War Memorial". Awm.gov.au. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  6. Category: Regimental Honours & Awards. "The Royal Canadian Regiment - Queen Victoria Scarf". Thercr.ca. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  7. "South African War - The Queen's Scarf of Honour". WarMuseum.ca. 1902-03-31. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  8. "Henry Coutts | NZHistory, New Zealand history online". Nzhistory.net.nz. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  9. "Queen's scarf – South African War – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand". Teara.govt.nz. 2013-03-22. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  10. "Gets Medal of Honor, almost a VC, then gets Queens Scarf!". Canadian Medal of Honor. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
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