Plaque honouring Caribbean prisoners of war has gone missing from Portchester Castle
A plaque unveiled on Friday 9 October to mark 230 years since 2,500 African Caribbean men, women and children were brought to Britain as prisoners of war has gone missing – presumably stolen – from Portchester Castle. Castle staff discovered the plaque was missing on Wednesday 14 October, having secured the site the night before; a padlock to one of the castle’s gates had been removed.
The partners involved in the commissioning of the plaque including University of Warwick, St Vincent and the Grenadines 2nd Generation (SV2G), and English Heritage have all expressed their dismay at the turn of events and have called for the plaque to be returned.
The plaque commemorates the arrival in Britain of around 2,500 men, women and children who surrendered to British forces during fighting over St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada in 1796. More than 2,000 of the prisoners were subsequently held at Portchester Castle. Their experiences have been reconstructed through surviving prison registers and years of research by Warwick researchers working alongside Caribbean communities and heritage partners.
Professor Katherine Astbury, from the University of Warwick, added: “We are deeply saddened that something created to honour this remarkable group has gone missing almost immediately after installation. This is an important, forgotten part of Caribbean history and so much work has gone into recovering the prisoners' stories. The plaque was meant to ensure that they have a visible and permanent place in the history of the castle. We very much hope that whoever has taken it will understand what it represents and return it.”
The plaque was commissioned by SV2G, a UK-based Caribbean arts and heritage organisation, and funded by the University of Warwick, as a permanent memorial to the prisoners, including those who died during the journey to Britain and while imprisoned at Portchester.
Dr Jacqueline Roberts, CEO of SV2G said: “This loss is deeply upsetting for our community. The plaque was not merely a marker, it was a sacred symbol of remembrance, honouring our ancestors who endured captivity, displacement, and unimaginable hardship. It represented their courage, their resistance, and their enduring spirit that continues to guide us today.
“People journeyed from across the UK, the USA and the Caribbean to witness its unveiling and to pay tribute to those who crossed the Atlantic. Its removal is not just an act against an object, but against memory itself. Our ancestors’ story will not be silenced. Their spirit remains with us in the earth, sea, and in the hearts of all who remember.”
English Heritage cares for Portchester Castle on behalf of the nation. Iona Keen, Head of Learning and Interpretation at the charity, said: “The story of the African Caribbean prisoners of war is an integral part of Porchester Castle’s history. Removing the plaque does not change that but we are incredulous and bitterly disappointed at this act of vandalism. We have reported it to the police and together with all our partners, we are considering next steps.”
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the plaque is asked to contact Hampshire Constabulary quoting incident numberSD-25140-26-4444-IR.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
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.