The arms were conceived by the late John P. Brooke-Little, then Richmond Herald of Arms. The colours and dancetty line represent the conflict between good and evil while the flaunches represent the worlds of light and darkness.

The sword is that of justice burning with the flames of learning and knowledge. The arms symbolize the armiger’s professions of social work and education, as well as his military (RCAF/CF) service, noted by the dragon and sword.

The dragon of the crest (demi in this case), is one of the armiger’s favourite beasts, both fierce and protective. It rests a claw on a red rose, symbolic both of the armiger’s country and county of birth, while holding in its other claw a cross for symbolising the armiger’s religion.

The motto, translated, reflects the armiger’s personal and professional ideals: "Let knowledge Increase and Truth Prevail".

The English badge has elements from the arms and crest and the Canadian Badge was designed to honour Boadicea and Kenna, (Kenna Cu Daibheid and her sister, Boadicea Finnchosach Cu Daibheid), the armiger’s two female Irish Wolfhounds. The cross is borrowed from the crest.