Much has been written at this site about the little known British awarding of the Queen's Scarf during Boer War days.
Yesterday's blog informs that the status of the Scarf, according to history, is well below that of the Victoria Cross. But careful examination seems to suggest otherwise.
Those not seeing yesterday's introduction to this matter might want to read it before jumping into today's. For the rest, I pick up where I left off.
Princess Mary, later Queen Mary, and her husband, the Duke of Cornwall and York, were in Australia and met up with Du Frayer, one of the Scarf recipients. He was proudly wearing his Scarf at the time.
She had noticed that it's ends were getting frayed and learned that it was because of constant use. Turning to her husband she suggested they ask his father, HRH King George V to issue a GOLD STAR. This could be worn in lieu of, yet equal to the Scarf. It would prevent a lot of wear and tear and would see the Scarf actually only being worn on formal occasions.
Yesterday's blog informs that the status of the Scarf, according to history, is well below that of the Victoria Cross. But careful examination seems to suggest otherwise.
Those not seeing yesterday's introduction to this matter might want to read it before jumping into today's. For the rest, I pick up where I left off.
Princess Mary, later Queen Mary, and her husband, the Duke of Cornwall and York, were in Australia and met up with Du Frayer, one of the Scarf recipients. He was proudly wearing his Scarf at the time.
She had noticed that it's ends were getting frayed and learned that it was because of constant use. Turning to her husband she suggested they ask his father, HRH King George V to issue a GOLD STAR. This could be worn in lieu of, yet equal to the Scarf. It would prevent a lot of wear and tear and would see the Scarf actually only being worn on formal occasions.
This is an article from a Brisbane Australia newspaper in June 1901. It seems to be a public announcement that the King has agreed with the Princess and Du Frayer, per the article,... "is to have a Gold Star."
Less than 2 weeks later another Australian newspaper considerably expanded on this.
Less than 2 weeks later another Australian newspaper considerably expanded on this.
Here we see the status of the Queen's Scarf elevated beyond what the Status Quo has had the world believing for over 100 years!
The newspaper of July 6th 1901 noted that "the distinction is great" and that the Duke himself presented the Scarf in a formal parade. (If it were a lesser award, it could have been presented by one much lower in stature than a member of the Royal family.) The story adds that the King, through his son, the Duke, advises that the 4 recipients will get the GOLD STAR. (It would be fair to assume that the 2nd group of 4 would also get the Star.)
Du Frayer was also told that the Star will rank equal with the Scarf and that the Star was "EQUAL WITH THE VICTORIA CROSS," "and carry with it the same distinctions."
Continuing, the recipient was also told that the recipients of the Scarf or Star are to be saluted or receive the Present Arms when in formation, and entitled to use the affix Q.S. after their names. Further, each was to receive a letter bearing the King's signature that outlined the bravery performed, that the Scarf was awarded, and that such could be passed down through generations of the recipient's family.
The newspaper of July 6th 1901 noted that "the distinction is great" and that the Duke himself presented the Scarf in a formal parade. (If it were a lesser award, it could have been presented by one much lower in stature than a member of the Royal family.) The story adds that the King, through his son, the Duke, advises that the 4 recipients will get the GOLD STAR. (It would be fair to assume that the 2nd group of 4 would also get the Star.)
Du Frayer was also told that the Star will rank equal with the Scarf and that the Star was "EQUAL WITH THE VICTORIA CROSS," "and carry with it the same distinctions."
Continuing, the recipient was also told that the recipients of the Scarf or Star are to be saluted or receive the Present Arms when in formation, and entitled to use the affix Q.S. after their names. Further, each was to receive a letter bearing the King's signature that outlined the bravery performed, that the Scarf was awarded, and that such could be passed down through generations of the recipient's family.
The day before Christmas that same year yet another Australian newspaper published the above. It also notes that "gold decorations and documents bearing the King's signature" were forthcoming.
This August 1901 clipping from New Zealand tells the same story as Du Frayer's. In this one regarding Trooper Henry Coutts, the reader is told that there were only 4 Scarfs and that since HRH Queen Victoria has passed away (in Jan 1901) there can be no more Scarfs.
The paper however must not have known of the 2nd group of 4 already made and sent off to Her Majesty's Grandson for circulation to the four Sgt's of British regular army units serving in South Africa.
The paper however must not have known of the 2nd group of 4 already made and sent off to Her Majesty's Grandson for circulation to the four Sgt's of British regular army units serving in South Africa.
This undated article found on the net also gives brief details about Coutts and notes that at a later date he would to receive a GOLD STAR.
Above we see Henry Coutts and his scarf, and Leonard Chadwick's picture in 1901. One that seems to have escaped the net and family for possibly the last century plus. till published in my recent blog. Of the eight Scarfs his is the only one unaccounted for. It's location was known in the early 1900's but has since mysteriously faded from existence.
The Governor General is the Monarch's representative in Australia. Here back in 1902 he is noted suggesting that both the DuFrayer Scarf and a Victoria Cross be both displayed at once at a public library. The article notes the IMPORTANCE of the two, describing same as... " two of the most honourable awards made to the British Army..."
The article also says there are only 3 such Scarfs in existence. There were actually 8, and the whereabouts of each at that time, was known. But the choice of the word AWARDS is interesting. In later days the Scarfs would be referred to simply as gifts.
Of more note though, is the fact that the Scarf and VC are given such high regard, and no doubt the article was seen by His Excellency, and perhaps even the Royal family. Yet no follow up in these papers by Royalty that I can find to suggest that the Scarf was anything less than as described.
On Sunday I will bring the conclusion to this story with more details and an examination of the claims against... and for the Scarf being equal to the Victoria Cross.
See you then,
Bart
The article also says there are only 3 such Scarfs in existence. There were actually 8, and the whereabouts of each at that time, was known. But the choice of the word AWARDS is interesting. In later days the Scarfs would be referred to simply as gifts.
Of more note though, is the fact that the Scarf and VC are given such high regard, and no doubt the article was seen by His Excellency, and perhaps even the Royal family. Yet no follow up in these papers by Royalty that I can find to suggest that the Scarf was anything less than as described.
On Sunday I will bring the conclusion to this story with more details and an examination of the claims against... and for the Scarf being equal to the Victoria Cross.
See you then,
Bart
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