- The Governor General of Canada
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James Stuart Duncan
Toronto, Ontario
Registration of Arms and a Badge
January 15, 2021
Vol. VII, p. 316
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Blazon
Arms
Barry wavy Azure and Argent in chief two cogwheels and in base a garb Or, on a chief embattled Argent two wings conjoined in fess Azure;
Crest
A galleon in full sail proper, flying from the main masthead a pennon, issuant from a circlet of maple leaves and fleurs-de-lis Or;
Motto
PROMPTUS SUSCIPE PROBUS EFFICE;
Symbolism
Arms
The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. The cogwheels and garb refer to Mr. Duncan’s career as general manager then president of the agricultural equipment maker Massey-Harris. They may also allude to many of the positions he held, including as chairman of the Combined Agriculture and Food Committee of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, chairman of the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario, and chairman of the National Conference on Engineering, Scientific and Technical Manpower. The wings represent his role as Acting Deputy Minister of National Defence for Air, in which capacity he was instrumental in the success of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
Crest
The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. The galleon may allude to Mr. Duncan’s many travels, having lived in France, Great Britain, Canada, Germany and Bermuda. It might also allude to the ship in the arms of Paris, his birthplace. The fleur-de-lis refers to his country of birth, France, while the maple leaf symbolizes Canada, his country of adoption.
Motto
This Latin phrase means “Be quick in taking up a task. Be honest in carrying it out.”