- The Governor General of Canada
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Joseph Francis Russell
Chalk River, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Curtis James Gust Russell and Stacey Geneva Gust Russell
August 15, 2019
Vol. VII, p. 199
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Blazon
Arms
Vert two palm branches in saltire between in chief an Atlantic salmon and in base a mullet Or;
Crest
A demi-pine marten proper holding a fountain and issuant from a coronet of fireman’s axes in saltire and swords in saltire Or;
Motto
SANS PEUR;
Symbolism
Arms
Green and yellow are colours that have long been used by Mr. Russell’s family. Green furthermore alludes to Mr. Russell’s love of nature, and to the colour of his uniform when he served in the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps. The palm fronds are found in the arms of the town of Walcz, Poland, and represent the origins of his wife’s family in this area when it was part of the German province of West Prussia. The fronds also honour Mr. Russell’s two children. The Atlantic salmon refers to the Miramichi River, where the salmon would spawn, and to Mr. Russell’s birth province of New Brunswick. The star represents the Acadian star and Mr. Russell’s Acadian heritage, and is also found in the arms of Walcz.
Crest
The pine marten is a reference to Mr. Russell’s mother’s surname of Martin. The heraldic fountain is another reference to the Miramichi River and its bay, representing the region where Mr. Russell was born and spent his early childhood. The crossed swords represent Mr. Russell’s service in the Canadian Armed Forces, and the crossed fireman’s axes refer to his longstanding commitment as a volunteer fireman.
Motto
This French phrase, meaning “Without fear,” encompasses Mr. Russell’s belief in facing life’s challenges courageously. The motto’s language reflects his French Acadian ancestry.