For "the best all-round men taking part in the South Africa campaign"
Queen Victoria crocheted this scarf. She stitched her initials, VRI (Victoria Regina et Imperatrix – Queen and Empress Victoria), onto the wool in gold thread. The queen sent eight scarves to South Africa during the Second Anglo-Boer War in April 1900. She asked that British soldiers received four scarves, and the other four went to soldiers from each of the Colonial Forces: Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.
Ordinary soldiers voted to decide who received each scarf. A board of officers had to approve their choice. The army couldn’t risk someone unworthy winning one!
Because they are so rare, there are many myths about the scarves. It was once thought that Queen Victoria had not made the scarves herself. Victoria was eighty-one in 1900, and her eyesight was very poor. However, Princess Mary, the Duchess of Cornwall, said later that she had helped the Queen with her crochet.
Some people also hoped these scarves were as prestigious as a Victoria Cross. However, the men who won the scarves did not receive them for bravery in battle. Despite Queen Victoria’s personal touch, these scarves are not on the same level as a Victoria Cross for gallantry.
Thomas and Martha Ferrett
Colour Sergeant Thomas Ferrett from The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment won the scarf in our collection. He also received a Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1902.
Ferrett sent the scarf home to his wife Martha, who is pictured left. After Ferrett’s sudden death in 1909, Martha showed the scarf at events so she could raise money for local charities.
Another scarf was awarded to Quartermaster Sergeant Henry Clay of the East Surrey Regiment. Queen Victoria embroidered that scarf in red thread. Sadly, the fire at Clandon House in 2015 destroyed Clay’s scarf.
