Caribbean prisoners of war given permanent place in history 230 years after shipwrecked journey to Britain

Researchers at the University of Warwick have helped bring to light the story of 2,500 African Caribbean prisoners whose transportation to Britain in 1796 changed the course of Caribbean history.

The largest group of African Caribbean people known to have arrived in Britain prior to the Windrush era have been permanently commemorated, exactly 230 years after their tumultuous arrival in England as prisoners of war.

The group of men, women and children were transported to Britain after surrendering to the British forces that were fighting for control of the St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada islands. The group’s defeat and removal from the Caribbean helped reshape the region’s history, as it strengthened British control of territories that might otherwise have remained under French influence.

The journey across the Atlantic ended in tragedy for many, as one of the ships carrying prisoners was wrecked at Rapparee Cove in Devon, with many on board losing their lives. More than 2000 survived the voyage and were imprisoned at Portchester Castle, Hampshire.

University of Warwick researchers have spent years reconstructing the prisoners’ experiences from the prison registers and working with Caribbean communities to explore and preserve this shared history.

Now, 230 years later, their story has been given a permanent place at Portchester Castle, where a new commemorative plaque was unveiled on Friday 9 October 2026, in a ceremony that brought together Caribbean communities from across the UK, international representatives, researchers and heritage organisations. The ceremony included traditional drumming and a libation to the ancestors led by a Garifuna delegation from Belize.

Professor Katherine Astbury from the University of Warwick said: “It has been a privilege to work with Caribbean communities to recover the history of the Portchester prisoners, and make their stories more widely known. This plaque honours all those who died, as well as those who went on to be released, and helps to preserve the memory of their fight for autonomy.”

The commemoration was organised in partnership with Warwick by St Vincent and the Grenadines 2nd Generation (SV2G), a UK-based Caribbean arts and heritage organisation, and hosted by English Heritage at Portchester Castle and St. Mary’s Church.

Dr Jacqueline Roberts, CEO of SV2G added: “This history belongs to all of us. The 1796 Portchester Caribbean Prisoners of War were among the first Caribbean people to set foot on British soil. Their courage and resilience live on in our communities today. The commemoration was about honouring our ancestors, reconnecting with our indigenous heritage, and giving our young people a deeper sense of identity and pride.”

Professor Astbury and Dr Abigail Coppins from Warwick’s School of Modern Languages and Cultures have been helping teachers and school children in St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines to understand the importance of this missing part of their islands' history. Pupils have decorated seagulls to hang in the castle this month with messages of thanks and remembrance to the prisoners.

Professor Astbury explained that “we really wanted there to be part of the Caribbean at the castle for the anniversary and the children of St Lucia and St Vincent have produced beautiful artwork and inspiring messages which are wowing visitors to the castle.”

The seagull motif reflects a permanent exhibition now installed at Portchester Castle about the prisoners of war and serves as a reminder of how the sea connects us all.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The plaque was commissioned by SV2G and funded by the University of Warwick.

Images:

Posed image with plaque.

To left of plaque: Jacqueline Roberts (Chief Executive SV2G) and Tony Hales, (Chairman of English Heritage). To right of plaque, left to right: Brereton Horne, High Commissioner St Vincent & the Grenadines, Christopher Roberts, Chairman SV2G, Pierre-Daniel Laviolette, Minister Counsellor Haitian Embassy, Kate Astbury, Professor of French Studies, University of Warwick, Susan Bayford, Deputy Mayor of Fareham, Freda Paulino Sideroff (Yurumein Royal Delegation), Cherie Nisbet, High Commissioner of Belize, and Iona Keen, Director of Interpretation and Learning, English Heritage.

About Portchester prisoners of war

Portchester Castle served as a prisoner-of-war camp during the major conflicts of the 18th century, with its use reaching a peak during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. In October 1796, a fleet carrying more than 2,500 prisoners of war from the Caribbean arrived in Portsmouth Harbour. Almost all were subsequently held at Portchester Castle, apart from around 100 women and children. Surviving records provide remarkable information about the identities and experiences of the prisoners.

About University of Warwick research at Portchester

The permanent exhibition about the prisoners of war from the Caribbean at Portchester Castle has been co-curated by Dr Abigail Coppins and is based on her research. Dr Coppins and Professor Katherine Astbury from the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at the University of Warwick have been working with SV2G and the National Trust of St Lucia, and Teachers in St Vincent and the Grenadines to ensure that the story of the Caribbean prisoners of war at Portchester Castle is better known.

For more information please contact:

Ann Baylis, Media and Communications Officer

ann.baylis@warwick.ac.uk | +44 (0) 7425 722087

About the University of Warwick

Founded in 1965, the University of Warwick is a world-leading institution known for its commitment to era-defining innovation across research and education. A connected ecosystem of staff, students and alumni, the University fosters transformative learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and bold industry partnerships across state-of-the-art facilities in the UK and global satellite hubs. Here, spirited thinkers push boundaries, experiment and challenge convention to create a better world.

About St Vincent and the Grenadines 2nd Generation (SV2G)

St Vincent and the Grenadines 2nd Generation (SV2G) is a UK-based Caribbean arts and heritage organisation working to celebrate, explore and preserve the history and cultural heritage of St Vincent and the Grenadines and the wider Caribbean. Through research, education and community-led projects, SV2G works with Caribbean communities and younger generations to connect with their heritage and ensure that their histories and experiences are recorded, shared and remembered.

About English Heritage

English Heritage cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites – from world-famous prehistoric sites to grand medieval castles, from Roman forts on the edges of the empire to a Cold War bunker. Through these, we bring the story of England to life for over 10 million people each year.