The last two blogs have brought much information forth with regards to the creation of the Queens Scarf back in 1899/1900, the selection of and presentation of scarfs to 4 Privates and 4 Sergeants representing the Commonwealth and who were fighting on behalf of same in the Boer War.
In these I have told of the acceptance over the years buy most that the Scarf itself is not a medal awarded for valor nor does it equate to or can it be said to be equal to the Victoria Cross. The blogs have also introduced an idea, not novel, that this status quo may not be correct.
If you have not had a look at the first two blogs on this subject, today's will be a blur, and so I suggest you do a refresher by reading them before reading today's.
For the rest here we go again.
In these I have told of the acceptance over the years buy most that the Scarf itself is not a medal awarded for valor nor does it equate to or can it be said to be equal to the Victoria Cross. The blogs have also introduced an idea, not novel, that this status quo may not be correct.
If you have not had a look at the first two blogs on this subject, today's will be a blur, and so I suggest you do a refresher by reading them before reading today's.
For the rest here we go again.
Here we see an entry in the London Gazette announcing that RR Thompson of the Royal Regiment of Canada has been one of the 4 privates selected to receive the Queen's Scarf. You have read hopefully in several past blogs over the years about Private Richard Thompson in this space.
The above LG entry flies in the face of numerous claims that the recipients were not "gazetted." You just read a gazetting.
Note also that while the VC requirements call for a gazetting, in the provisions of HRH Queen Victoria's orders to Lord Roberts, there was no such gazetting requirement for the Scarf recipients. So their existence or not seems mute.
In researching this topic I found this wonderful story about Thompson that I should share with you...
The above LG entry flies in the face of numerous claims that the recipients were not "gazetted." You just read a gazetting.
Note also that while the VC requirements call for a gazetting, in the provisions of HRH Queen Victoria's orders to Lord Roberts, there was no such gazetting requirement for the Scarf recipients. So their existence or not seems mute.
In researching this topic I found this wonderful story about Thompson that I should share with you...
The LG briefly mentioned his gallantry in the field and the above story briefly mentions his risking his own life to save another. But both give no details. Here are a few.
Thompson, on more than one occasion crawled out under heavy fire to rescue badly wounded comrades. On one such occasion, at the risk of his own death, Pte. Thompson crawled under under heavy fire to find a mate alive but suffering from a very serious wound to his throat.
The RCR hero spent almost eight hours under fire, and with his own helmet being shot off at one point, but nevertheless, maintained his own thumb on the critical wound till both could be retrieved. Bravery and specific actions superior to other brave lads who were awarded the Victoria Cross. Is it any wonder why he was voted the bravest of the bravest in his unit?
Six of the other seven have similar stories. (I've yet to find the citation for the 8th.) One even including the fact that the ENEMY, for the most part actually stopped shooting at the soldier as he tried to rescue another wounded mate, because he was too brave to kill, according to some reports.
Regular readers will hopefully recall the Higgins Medal of Honor story were the Confederates stopped shooting at this Canadian because he too, was too brave to kill. In fact it was the enemy who actually recommended him for the MOH.
Thompson, on more than one occasion crawled out under heavy fire to rescue badly wounded comrades. On one such occasion, at the risk of his own death, Pte. Thompson crawled under under heavy fire to find a mate alive but suffering from a very serious wound to his throat.
The RCR hero spent almost eight hours under fire, and with his own helmet being shot off at one point, but nevertheless, maintained his own thumb on the critical wound till both could be retrieved. Bravery and specific actions superior to other brave lads who were awarded the Victoria Cross. Is it any wonder why he was voted the bravest of the bravest in his unit?
Six of the other seven have similar stories. (I've yet to find the citation for the 8th.) One even including the fact that the ENEMY, for the most part actually stopped shooting at the soldier as he tried to rescue another wounded mate, because he was too brave to kill, according to some reports.
Regular readers will hopefully recall the Higgins Medal of Honor story were the Confederates stopped shooting at this Canadian because he too, was too brave to kill. In fact it was the enemy who actually recommended him for the MOH.
Here we see two more of the 8 scarfs and Colour Sergeant William Colclough's picture. I've yet to discover one for Colour Sergeant Sgt Henry Clay. Colclough (misspelled above) is shown above as an officer after the Boer war, his relocation to Canada, and his service in WWl. After the war he became the Commanding officer of a Winnipeg regiment. More on him, and his file later.
As late as November 1950, we see this news article appearing that continues the claim about the Scarf being equal and carrying the same distinction of the VC, the promises of a Gold Star and clasp, and the right to use the post nominal initials...QS. Coverage regardless of the then and still current theme that the Scarf and VC do not equate to each other.
While still overseas, Colour Sergeant Ferret mailed his Scarf home to his wife, whom, is shown wearing it. Colour Sergeant Kingsley wears his own, above.
It should be noted that in this and the last two blogs, I have presented to you the scarves of seven of the 8 recipients and images of 7 of the 8 heroes. I am unaware of anywhere else on the net that you might find all in one place other than at this site.
The blog is once again getting long winded. So I shall end but please return next Sunday for the final comments and some very detailed presentation of why I believe that the Status Quo may not be right regarding these matters.
Bart
It should be noted that in this and the last two blogs, I have presented to you the scarves of seven of the 8 recipients and images of 7 of the 8 heroes. I am unaware of anywhere else on the net that you might find all in one place other than at this site.
The blog is once again getting long winded. So I shall end but please return next Sunday for the final comments and some very detailed presentation of why I believe that the Status Quo may not be right regarding these matters.
Bart
RSS Feed