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

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.

Leon Richard McKergow

Caledon, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Bonnie Lynn Davies and to David Allan McKergow
February 15, 2013
Vol. VI, p. 211

Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.


Blazon

Arms

Gules a chevron between three beavers couchant Or;

Crest

A bison’s head caboshed Or accorné Gules within a wreath of thistles and white garden lilies proper;

Motto

MAKE A DIFFERENCE;

Flag

A banner of the Arms;

Badge

Two lances in saltire proper each bearing a pennon per fess Gules and Argent all enfiling a wreath of thistles and white garden lilies proper;

Differenced Arms for Bonnie Lynn Davies, daughter of Leon Richard McKergow

The Arms of Leon Richard McKergow debruised by a three-point label Argent; This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his death;

Differenced Arms for David Allan McKergow, son of Leon Richard McKergow

The Arms of Leon Richard McKergow with the beavers in the Arms Argent rather than Or;


Symbolism

Arms

The colour of the shield refers to the familiar red serge tunic of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) uniform, marking Mr. McKergow’s 26 years of service as an RCMP officer. The chevron alludes to his rank at the time of his retirement, Staff Sergeant, the insignia of which is composed of four such chevrons. The beavers refer to Mr. McKergow’s Canadian nationality, as well as to his 15 years of service with the University of Toronto Campus Police, as the coat of arms of the University of Toronto features a beaver.

Crest

The bison’s head is taken from the badge of the RCMP. The thistles refer to Mr. McKergow’s Scottish ancestry, and the white garden lilies to the province of Quebec, where he was born and raised. The white garden lily was the floral emblem of Quebec prior to 1999.

Motto

Not applicable

Flag

The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.

Badge

The wreath repeats the symbolism of the crest, and the lances are those of the RCMP.

Differenced Arms for Bonnie Lynn Davies, daughter of Leon Richard McKergow

The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.

Differenced Arms for David Allan McKergow, son of Leon Richard McKergow

The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.


Background

Canada Gazette Information

The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on November 30, 2013, in Volume 147, page 2706 of the Canada Gazette.


Artist Information

Creator(s)
Original concept of Bruce Patterson, Deputy Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

Painter
Melissa Aberin

Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione


Recipient Information

Individual