The Viceregal Lion
  1. The Governor General of Canada
Heraldry Today

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Walter Peter Holmes Harding

London, Ontario
Grant of Arms
January 11, 2000
Vol. IV, p. 2

Arms of Walter Peter Holmes Harding

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Blazon

Arms

Per bend rayonné Gules goutty d'eau and Or;

Crest

A demi lion crowned with a St. John coronet Or capped Gules gorged of a collar also Gules dependant therefrom a trefoil Vert and holding in the dexter paw a flame proper;

Motto

IGNIS VERENDUS NON TIMENDUS;


Symbolism

Arms

The flames and drops of water are a reference to Mr. Harding’s career as a firefighter and Deputy Fire Chief for the City of London, Ontario.

Crest

The lion is taken from arms borne by Irish armigers named Holmes. The shamrock honours Mr. Harding’s Irish heritage. The flames emanating from the lion’s paw refer to Mr. Harding’s firefighting career. The coronet of Maltese crosses pays tribute to Mr. Harding’s work with the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem and the St. John Ambulance.

Motto

This Latin phrase means “Fire is to be respected, not to be feared”.