- The Governor General of Canada
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Robert Hemmings
Montréal, Quebec
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Francis Robert Hemmings, Paul David Hemmings and David Thomas Hemmings
June 15, 2015
Vol. VI, p. 506
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Blazon
Arms
Gules a common kestrel stooping, on a chief Or three bees Vert;
Crest
A common kestrel wings addorsed and inverted Or wearing a coronet treflé Vert and resting its dexter talon on a closed book palewise Vert edged Or;
Motto
TRAVAIL • SAVOIR • DÉPASSEMENT;
Symbolism
Arms
The common kestrel, also called a windhover for its ability to hover before descending suddenly, is used here as a metaphor for Christ or of divine epiphany, based on the poem “The Windhover” written by Gerard Manley Hopkins in 1877. The red colour of the field symbolizes the blood of sacrifice, and the gold for the quality of that sacrifice. The bees emphasize the central importance of work.
Crest
The book symbolizes the central role of learning for Dr. Hemmings. The symbolism of the common kestrel is taken from the Arms. The coronet alludes to the Irish ancestry of Dr. Hemmings’ wife Gisèle Thérèse O’Donnell.
Motto
Meaning “Work, knowledge, going beyond”, the use of a French motto alludes to the French ancestors of Dr. Hemmings from Mortagne-au-Perche, Normandy.