- The Governor General of Canada
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William Grant Cliff
Strathroy, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Badge
October 5, 1999
Vol. III, p. 360
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Blazon
Arms
Per bend wavy Or and Azure in chief a cross crosslet fitchy and in base an anchor counterchanged;
Motto
ETERNAL FATHER STRONG TO SAVE;
Symbolism
Arms
The division of the shield suggests both the divine and the secular, the spiritual realm within the material world. The cross indicates Father Cliff’s calling and the evangelical mission-oriented aspects of the Christian Faith. This type of cross features frequently in Scottish heraldry and is a reference to his maternal Scottish descent. The anchor refers to the faith as anchoring one’s life and to the gospel idea of hope. It also alludes to the fact that Father Cliff’s paternal ancestors went to sea and were involved in the merchant marine.
Motto
This is the first line of a hymn traditionally associated with seafarers, particularly in the maritime armed services.