The Governor General of Canada

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Differenced Arms for Alexander Hugh Zdeb Montgomery, son of Kenneth Hugh Montgomery

Kenneth Hugh Montgomery

Medicine Hat, Alberta
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Alexander Hugh Zdeb Montgomery, MacKenzie John Zdeb Montgomery and Spencer Muir Zdeb Montgomery
October 15, 2004
Vol. IV, p. 411

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

Blazon

Arms

Or on a chevron Azure between in chief two wild roses slipped proper and in base three oak saplings on an island Vert, three fleurs-de-lis Or;

Crest

A fox passant guardant Azure charged on the shoulder with a Masonic square Or, its dexter paw resting on an escutcheon quarterly Azure and Gules first and fourth three fleurs-de-lis, second and third three gem-rings Or;

Motto

GARDE BIEN TOUS JOURS;

Flag

A banner of the Arms;

Badge

On a bezant a fox's mask Azure within a wreath of wild roses proper;

Differenced Arms for Alexander Hugh Zdeb Montgomery, son of Kenneth Hugh Montgomery

The Arms of Kenneth Hugh Montgomery debruised of a three-point label Azure; this individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his or her death;

Differenced Arms for MacKenzie John Zdeb Montgomery, son of Kenneth Hugh Montgomery

The Arms of Kenneth Hugh Montgomery with the chevron engrailed;

Differenced Arms for Spencer Muir Zdeb Montgomery, son of Kenneth Hugh Montgomery

The Arms of Kenneth Hugh Montgomery with the chevron invected;

Symbolism

Arms

The gold fleurs-de-lis on blue are from the ancient Montgomery arms. The chevron refers to the Rocky Mountains and thus to Alberta. The wild roses are the provincial flower of Alberta; here they are shown similar to those in Cree beadwork on a pair of leather chaps presented in 1927 to Hugh John Montgomery, Mr. Montgomery’s great-grandfather, an Alberta pioneer (1898), long-time Mayor of Wetaskiwin and Member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly. The three saplings on one island are inspired by the arms of Prince Edward Island, the original home of Hugh John; they also represent Mr. Montgomery’s three sons. Green and gold are the colours of the Edmonton Eskimo Football Club, of which Mr. Montgomery’s grandfather, Kenneth Gordon Montgomery, was a founder and the club president in 1954 when the team won its first Grey Cup.

Crest

The fox alludes to the silver fox, the provincial animal of Prince Edward Island, and to the fact that the family originally settled at Fox Point, near Malpeque, circa 1770. It also recognizes Hugh John’s, and the family’s, involvements with silver fox ranching and fur farming. Blue and gold are the traditional Montgomery colours, the colours of Alberta, and are associated with policing, thus making a reference to Mr. Montgomery’s career a police officer and detective. The face-on position of the fox emphasizes the vigilance associated with Mr. Montgomery’s work in law enforcement and legal assistance. The ornate square on its shoulder is a Masonic symbol that identifies Mr. Montgomery as a Freemason and past master of a Masonic Lodge. The small shield is the traditional Scottish Montgomery-Eglinton coat of arms and reflects Mr. Montgomery’s pride in being a branch of that ancient family.