The UELAC BADGE

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I have a jacket which I often wear that has a unique badge on it.  It is the badge of a member of the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada (UELAC). Other clothing as well as printed material, books, pins, keychains. rings. and medals include the badge. 

                                                                                          Loyalist Badge on Jacket & Medal                                                                                           
The badge consists of a wreath made up of red maple leaves and oak leaves and acorns. The maple leaves represent Canada while the oak leaves and acorns are a long held symbol of loyalty and fidelity to the monarchy. In the centre is the Cypher G III R, signifying Georgius Tertius Rex, the sovereign to whom the Loyalists gave their devotion and their service.  It was formally approved as part of the armorial bearings of the UELAC on March 28, 1972 when the grant was made by Royal Authority through Letters Patent. 




John Chard (1922 - 2013) was President of the UELAC when the process to obtain armorial bearings began in the 1960s.   He was also instrumental in the formation of over 15 branches of the UELAC, in resurrecting and developing the Loyalist Gazette after over 30 years of absence, and in staffing and managing the Dominion Office for many years.  In 2009 the UELAC presented him with the Dorchester Award, recognizing his lengthy and substantial contribution to the Association. 
 
  John Chard  (middle) receiving Dorchester Award from Fred Hayward (left) & Gerry Adair (right)
(Source: Loyalist Gazette, Fall 2013, p. 44)


Prior to the approval of the UELAC Badge there had been used another symbol earlier adopted by the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Ontario,predecessor to the UELAC,  which was used on medals and other items. Several years ago I managed to obtain a rare old loyalist case with this symbol of it.  This symbol included a white cross with the a circle in the middle and inside the circle the letters U.E.L. Above the cross were the letters G.R. surmounted by the British Imperial Crown. Around the cross was the motto: Ducit Amor Patriae meaning "Patriotism Leads Me".

 Old symbol on rare case
                                                  

Further Reading:

The Armorial Bearings of the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada  by Conrad Swan    

A Rare Loyalist Case by Brian McConnell, UE

                         





Historian & Author; Member of United Empire Loyalists ' Association of Canada, Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia, Ulster Historical & Genealogical Guild (Life)

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