- The Governor General of Canada
The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.
Les Voltigeurs de Québec
Québec, Quebec
Confirmation of the blazon of a Badge
October 15, 2008
Vol. V, p. 352
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Badge
The arms of Salaberry (Per pale dexter per fess in chief Or a lion rampant Gules, in base Or two cows passant in pale Gules armed collared and belled Azure, sinister Gules a cross bottony Or, a bordure Azure charged with eight saltires couped Or) within an annulus Vert fimbriated and inscribed VOLTIGEURS DE QUEBEC in letters Argent, all surmounting the cross of the Order of St. Louis Argent, the whole ensigned by the Royal Crown proper and above a scroll Argent inscribed with the Motto in letters Gules;
Motto
FORCE À SUPERBE MERCY À FOIBLE;
Symbolism
Badge
The Crown represents service to the Sovereign. The Voltigeurs Canadiens (1812-1815), who were organized as a temporary British Army regular unit and commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles-Michel d’Irumberry de Salaberry for service during the War of 1812, had the reputation of repeatedly repulsing superior American forces. His son, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles René-Léonidas de Salaberry, was the first commanding officer of the regiment when it was formed in 1862. The badge, incorporating the arms and motto “FORCE À SUPERBE MERCY À FOIBLE” of the family of d’Irumberry de Salaberry, was adopted in 1892 in recognition of this family’s services to the military of Canada and the regiment. The Order of St. Louis, instituted by King Louis XIV of France in 1693, was a notable honour in New France. “VOLTIGEURS DE QUEBEC” is a form of the regimental title.
Motto
Meaning “Violence to the strong, mercy to the weak”.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 21, 2009, in Volume 143, page 693 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Not applicable
Painter
* Not applicable / Sans objet
Calligrapher
* Not applicable / Sans objet
Recipient Information
Military Institution
Military
The badge was originally approved on 1 November 1977.