Conservation of the George Cross Grant Volume

The volume holding a copy of the grant of the George Cross to Malta, held at the Notarial Archives, has undergone conservation treatment through a successful collaboration between Din l-Art Helwa and the Notarial Archives Foundation. The initiative was taken up following a guided visit to the Notarial Archives for Din l-Art Helwa members last year. The conservation treatment was carried out by paper conservator Alejandra Molano Contreras, under the supervision of Head of Conservation Dr Theresa Zammit Lupi. The volume required various interventions, such as surface cleaning, removal of old repairs, spine repair, and cover repair. A protective enclosure was created to keep the volume safe and secure. All treatments were carried out using the highest quality grade conservation materials and following current and international conservation practice and work ethic. The collaboration between Din l-Art Helwa, whose members raised funds for the preservation of the volume, and the Notarial Archives Foundation, contributed to the initia- tive of preserving Maltese national paper heritage and, it is hoped, to lead to further collaboration.

The George Cross was awarded by His Majesty King George V to the Maltese nation on 15 April 1942 for the valour and perseverance displayed during the Second World War. The deed was published in the Hall of St Michael and St George at the Governor’s Palace, Valletta in the presence of His Grace Monsignor Michael Gonzi, Metropolitan Archbishop of Malta, on 7 February 1947. The Maltese population had undergone a complete disruption of everyday life, having faced food shortages and the target of incessant bombings by the Axis forces. The volume preserves the record of this significant part of Maltese history and that of its people.

The volume contains the enrolment of the act drawn up by the Chief Notary to Government, Dr Carmelo Farrugia. The contract is between H. E. Francis Campbell Ross Douglas, Governor and Commander in Chief of the Island of Malta and its Dependencies, and His Honour Sir George Borg, Chief Justice and President of His Majesty’s Court of Appeal, “wherein King George VI being desirous that for the greater honour and distinction of the Island of Malta” grants that a representation of the George Cross proper is placed on a canton azure to be borne for the Island of Malta and its dependencies on seals, shields, banners or otherwise according to the law of arms. The volume also contains other no- tarial deeds, such as sales of land, reconstruction of damaged accommodation and the supply of provisions and fuel, which further preserve aspects of the past of Malta and the culture of its population.

The Minister of Justice, Culture and Local Government admires the restored volume together with Conservator Consultants Dr Theresa Zammit Lupi and historian Dr Joan Abela, and Mrs Maria Grazia Cassar, Executive President of Din l-Art Helwa.

The George Cross Grant Document Volume at the Notarial Archives has been restored in collaboration with Din l-Art Helwa.