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,[1][2] with assistance from Princess Mary, Duchess of Cornwall,[1] and presented to soldiers. Each was approximately 152 centimetres (five feet) long, 23 centimetres (nine inches) wide, made of khaki-coloured Berlin wool, and bore the Queen's royal cypher, VRI, at one end.[2]
The Earl 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".[3]