October 17, 2005, was an auspicious occasion for the Prairie Branch of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada. On that evening Sir Conrad Swan, KCVO, KGCN, PhD, FSA, FRHSC, Garter Principal King of Arms Emeritus, while passing through Calgary on his International Lecture Tour, was welcomed as Guest Speaker at a dinner held in his honour. Sir Conrad, who previously served as Rouge Dragon Pursuivant and York Herald, is in fact a fourth-generation Canadian and a permanent member of the Royal Household.
Sir Conrad Swan 
speaking about his book A King from Canada at a banquet held by the Prairie Branch RHSC in Calgary, Alberta, 17 October 2005
Sir Conrad’s tour was timed in conjunction with the publication of his most recent book, A King From Canada, which describes a very full and varied life. A previous book of Sir Conrad’s entitled Canada: Symbols of Sovereignty is a landmark study of Canadian heraldry. The banquet was held at the Inn on Crowchild in Calgary and the attire for the evening was black tie, military dress and decorations, with the Society’s gonfanon and personal banners as a backdrop to the head table. The occasion was most timely, as the year had been devoted to the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Province of Alberta.
Branch President George Lucki (left), Secretary Tom Hargreaves , and Sir Conrad Swan in front of the RHSC gonfanon
The programme began with a reception and cocktails and the piping-in of the Head Table party including the Guest of Honour, Sir Conrad. With David Hongisto as Piper, David Clarke as Sergeant-at-Arms, and Tom Hargreaves as Master of Ceremonies, the Sergeant-at-Arms directed a toast to the Piper. This was followed by the singing of the National Anthem and by the Invocation, which was delivered by the Rev. Canon Robert Greene.
On completion of the dinner, which featured roast sirloin of Alberta Beef, David Macpherson gave the loyal toast to Her Majesty the Queen. Tom Hargreaves then introduced the Head Table Guests and called upon member Lyle Green, who is a relative of the Guest of Honour, to introduce Sir Conrad Swan. Although it is difficult to accommodate the many facets of a life such as Sir Conrad’s in a single banquet address, he delivered an extremely interesting talk. It began with his birth and his early days in Canada, his subsequent education in England, his years in India as a military officer and his many and varied heraldic duties.
George Lucki presenting Sir Conrad with the Branch jewel
On conclusion of the address, George Lucki, our Branch President for 2005, expressed the appreciation of all present for Sir Conrad’s valuable contribution to the evening. Tom Hargreaves then acknowledged the occasion of the centenary of the Province and proposed a toast to “The Province of Alberta on its Hundredth Year”. George then presented Sir Conrad Swan with the Prairie Branch Badge in bronze medal form, also a plaque and a book on Polish heraldry, to mark his visit. Leopold Kurcz then presented Sir Conrad with a colourful booklet that commemorated the grant of arms to Vanier College, a project which Leopold had been directly involved in some time ago. The program ended with the singing of “God Save the Queen” and the bar was re-opened.
I sincerely thank all those who assisted in the organization and who participated in the event, for their efforts in making Sir Conrad Swan’s visit a very memorable occasion.
—Thomas Hargreaves
President (2006), Prairie Branch RHSC
Released: March 6, 2006
Last modified: March 25, 2006 Copyright ©2006 Prairie Branch RHSC