Eight scarves were personally crocheted by Queen Victoria,[1][2] with assistance from Princess Mary, Duchess of Cornwall,[1] and presented to soldiers.
[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".
The New Zealand government asked that the title be used in the Army List, but permission to do so was denied by the Secretary of State for War in 1902.
[4] In 1956, a relative of one of the holders asked to attend the centenary celebrations for the VC, but was told that the scarf was not equal in status to the cross.