- The Governor General of Canada
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Philip Despard Pemberton Holmes
Victoria, British Columbia
Grant of Arms and Badge
August 15, 2003
Vol. IV, p. 306
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Blazon
Arms
Argent between three buckets Azure, a lion passant Gules grasping in the dexter paw an anchor Azure;
Crest
Issuant from a circlet Argent charged with a barrulet wavy Azure, the upper edge set with triangular finials Argent and maple leaves Gules, an arm embowed in armour proper grasping an airplane propeller of three blades Sable tipped Or;
Motto
ARTE ET MARTE;
Symbolism
Arms
The shield is based on that granted by Ulster King of Arms to Mr. Holmes’ grandfather, William Cuthbert Holmes, in 1909, with the blue discs replaced by buckets, symbols of the Pembertons, Mr. Holmes’ mother’s family. The anchor marks the family’s long history of naval service.
Crest
This is similar to the crest granted to Mr. Holmes’ grandfather, with the propeller used instead of a sword to mark Mr. Holmes’ service in the RCAF. The type of propeller shown is that of a famed Lancaster bomber, the airplane flown by Mr. Holmes in the Second World War. The coronet at the base of the crest, in the colours of the arms, represents the family’s long history in Canada, as well as the mountains and sea near Mr. Holmes’ Victoria home. The coronet can be seen as a variation of the antique crown in the arms of British Columbia, a further reference to Mr. Holmes’ service to his province.
Motto
This Latin phrase means “By skill and valour”. This is the same motto included in the grant to Mr. Holmes’ grandfather.