Awards
The Queen's Scarf of Honour
One of eight scarves Queen Victoria crocheted
for presentation to members of her forces fighting in South
Africa. This is the scarf awarded to Private R.R. Thompson on display at
the Canadian War Museum.
In the last year of her long life, Queen Victoria crocheted eight
scarves for presentation to members of her forces fighting in South
Africa. Four were earmarked for members of colonial units, with one
each going to "the most distinguished private soldier" serving in the
forces of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The other
four went to members of the British regular army. The Canadian scarf
was awarded to Private R.R. Thompson for his actions in going to the
aid of wounded comrades at
Paardeberg on 18 and 27
February 1900.
With the passage of time, awareness of the scarf faded from Canadian
memory. In 1964 Bombardier Kenneth Richardson, of the Royal Canadian
Artillery, located the scarf with Thompson's family in Ireland. It was
returned to Canada by Thompson's nephew in 1965, and has been on display
at the Canadian War Museum ever since.
A number of misconceptions and legends surround the scarf. For
example, some believed it to be the equal of, or even rank above, the
Victoria Cross as a decoration. Research has established that the scarf
has no relationship to the
Victoria Cross and, in
fact, has no status as a decoration. Nevertheless, to have received a
scarf was a great honour.
Private Richard Rowland Thompson, 2nd
(Special Service) Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry, winner
of the Queen's Scarf for his bravery at the battle of Paardeberg, 18-27
February 1900.