- 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.
John Turner Watt
White Rock, British Columbia
Registration of Arms
October 15, 2025
Vol. VIII, p. 443
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Per pale Argent and Vert per chevron counterchanged three cougars’ faces in pale Gules;
Crest
A demi-cougar Or charged on each shoulder with a maple leaf holding between its paws a staff Gules flying therefrom a square banner of the Arms fringed Argent and Vert, all issuant from a circlet of dogwood flowers and thistles proper;
Motto
WESTWARD QUESTING;
Symbolism
Arms
The cougars symbolize Mr. Watt’s home province of British Columbia, with their number representing his three sons. The green and white colours and the angled division signify the snow-capped mountains in the Vancouver region.
Crest
The cougar repeats the symbolism of the Arms. The maple leaf indicates Mr. Watt’s Canadian identity as well as his service in the First World War as a lieutenant in the 4th Division of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, the formation patch of which bore a maple leaf. The dogwood flowers and thistles represent, respectively, British Columbia, where he resided for most of his life, and Scotland, his birthplace.
Motto
This phrase alludes to Mr. Watt’s journey from his birthplace in Scotland to the west coast of Canada.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on January 1, 1900, in Volume 0, page 0 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Robert D. Watt and Conrad Swan, York Herald at the College of Arms, London.
Painter
Artist of the College of Arms, London / Artiste du Collège d’armes, Londres
Calligrapher
* Not applicable / Sans objet
Recipient Information
Individual
The recipient’s emblems were originally recorded at the College of Arms, London, England, 23 October 1973.