- 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.
The West Nova Scotia Regiment
Aldershot, Nova Scotia
Approval of a Regimental Colour
August 15, 2018
Vol. VII, p. 110
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Flag
(Regimental Colour) Azure a torteau charged with an escutcheon Argent bearing a saltire Azure between in chief a church on a mount, in base a schooner proper set on barry wavy Azure and Argent, and in the flanks a mayflower leaved proper, and encircled by an annulus Gules edged and inscribed THE WEST NOVA SCOTIA REGIMENT in letters Or, between two branches of autumnal maple leaves proper bound in base by a ribbon Gules surmounted by a scroll Argent inscribed SEMPER FIDELIS in letters Sable, and ensigned by the Royal Crown proper, the whole environed by two laurel branches in saltire Or fructed Gules bearing scrolls Argent edged Or inscribed in letters Sable on the dexter with DEFENCE OF CANADA, 1812 - 15; HILL 70; AMIENS; PURSUIT TO MONS; CATENANUOVA; THE SANGRO; HITLER LINE; LAMONE CROSSING; NORTH-WEST EUROPE, 1945; and on the sinister with ARRAS, 1917, ’18; YPRES, 1917; HINDENBURG LINE; LANDING IN SICILY; POTENZA; THE GULLY; GOTHIC LINE; RIMINI LINE; AFGHANISTAN;
Symbolism
Flag
As an infantry regiment, The West Nova Scotia Regiment uses as its Regimental Colour a blue flag with a form of the regimental badge at its centre. The maple leaves and Royal Crown represent service to Canada and to the Sovereign. The shield includes several symbols of Nova Scotia. The St. Andrew’s cross refers to the province’s Scottish heritage; the mayflower is the province’s floral emblem; the schooner, inspired by the famous Bluenose, symbolizes the seafaring communities of the South Shore; and the church represents the memorial church at Grand-Pré, the Annapolis Valley and the province’s Acadian heritage. SEMPER FIDELIS, a Latin phrase meaning “Always faithful,” is the regiment’s motto. The battle honours of the regiment are placed on laurel branches, which are symbols of victory.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 23, 2019, in Volume 153, page 1079 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of the Department of National Defence, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Eva Pilar-Cass
Calligrapher
Doris Wionzek
Recipient Information
Military Institution
Military