THE QUEEN’S SCARF.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2, 7 May 1913, Page 2

THE QUEEN’S SCARF.

FOR GALLANTRY AT SANNA’S ROST. Capt. H. D. Coutts, of Auckland, who spent the greater portion of his younger days in Patea and who won tAo’ Queen's Scarf for gallantry at Sauna’s Post, South Africa, thirteen years ago, is about to leave New Zealand shortly. According to the Observer, Captain Coutts has forwarded tho Scarf together with his Queen’s and King’s South African medals to the Minister of Defence, and it is suggested that they may ho hung in tho lobby of the House of Parliament. The late Queen Victoria knitted two scarves, which she caused to be sent to tho F.’M Commanding in Chief in Alnca, to ho presented to the most gallant colonials, and it was during the fearful day of Koornspruit, when tho British and colonial troops were cut up by De Wet, that Coutts won his scarf. On that day the New Zealanders fought a very fine rearguard action. Coutts (who afterwards became a captain )was detailed in Pretoria for duty in the Compensation Department, and was quartered in a furnished house opposite the French Counsel’s house. Ho was naturally a good deal hospitable to colonials, and relates that on one occasion they got n, bft above themselves and sang with great vigour, “Britons Never Shall,’ ’etc., outside the Consul’s house. Ho was not surprised, therefore, when he was instantly ordered to parado before the general officer commanding on the Pretoria racecourse. A soldier goes at ofice when ordered, so Harry jumped into a cab and got there to find a tremendous parade of soldiers drawn up in a hollow square. He reported and was pushed into the hollow with thought - of court martial, sudden death before breakfast, and all that sort of thing He was tremendously surprised therefore to find that he was being handed the Queen’s Scarf for gallant conduct at Sauna’s Post, and to hear the General officer roaring’out that Her Majesty’s distinction was conferred not only on Trooper Coutts, N.Z.M.R.., but on the soldiers of tho colony from which Coutts came. It is because of the words of the General at that parade that Harry is handing over the scarf to the country.