- The Governor General of Canada
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Neil Bradley Marshall
Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Flag
November 15, 2019
Vol. VII, p. 217
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Gules on a bend bretessed between two gears Or each surmounted by a lightning bolt bendwise, a bendlet Azure;
Crest
A demi-donkey Gules winged Or, crined and unguled Azure, holding between its legs a rolled map proper;
Motto
VIRTUE ALWAYS FLOURISHES;
Flag
A banner of the Arms;
Symbolism
Arms
The diagonal band represents sashes worn by military officers and honours the many generations of Lieutenant-Colonel Marshall’s family who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces. Its blue colour alludes to the Rideau Canal in Ottawa, an important landmark near his home. Its parallel edges and border evoke train tracks and his early memories of the Canadian Pacific Railway yard in Transcona, Manitoba, where his parents grew up and where his grandfather was employed as a railway carman. The crenelated edges also allude to the historic military fortifications in Kingston, Ontario, where LCol Marshall attended the Royal Military College of Canada and later worked at the Garrison. The gears refer to his training as a mechanical engineer; they also allude to the sun as a symbol of hope, vitality and new beginnings. The lightning bolts represent his career with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. Red, yellow and blue are found in the arms of the city of Kingston and in those of the Royal Military College.
Crest
The donkey embodies humility, patience, diligence, caution and selflessness, qualities which LCol Marshall admires. The wings are a feature of the helmet of Mercury, a symbol used by the Signal Corps, in which LCol Marshall serves. The rolled-up map represents his passion for exploration and discovery.
Motto
This phrase is an English version of a Latin motto that resonates with LCol Marshall.
Flag
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 March 28, 2020, in Volume 154, page 693 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Teva Vidal, Miramichi Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Robert Grey
Calligrapher
Yolande Lessard
Recipient Information
Individual