Full Breakdown
Plaque Honoring 18th-Century African-Caribbean Prisoners Stolen from Portchester Castle
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
A plaque commemorating the arrival of roughly 2,500 African-Caribbean men, women and children who were taken to Britain as prisoners of war in 1796 was installed at Portchester Castle in Hampshire. The memorial was unveiled on 9 October, marking the 230th anniversary of a shipwreck at Rapparee Cove that claimed many of those aboard. Within a week, English Heritage staff discovered the plaque missing on 14 October and reported that a padlock on a castle gate had been removed. A nearby bench was also defaced with hateful graffiti.
Historical Context
In 1796, British forces captured a coalition that included formerly enslaved Africans, Caribbean-born individuals, Indigenous peoples and French soldiers fighting against British control of St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada. About 2,500 of these prisoners were transported to Britain and held at Portchester Castle, making it one of the largest pre-Windrush arrivals of African-Caribbean people.
Official Statements & Responses
English Heritage described the removal as an act of vandalism and confirmed the investigation was reported to police. “We are deeply saddened that something created to honour this remarkable group of men, women, and children has gone missing almost immediately after installation.” — Professor Katherine Astbury, of warwick professor Jacqueline Roberts, chief executive of St Vincent and the Grenadines 2nd Generation (SV2G), called the loss “deeply upsetting” and emphasized that the memorial was a “sacred symbol of remembrance.”
Data & Statistics
- Approximately 2,500 African-Caribbean prisoners were taken to Britain in 1796.
- The plaque commemorated more than 2,000 individuals who were held at Portchester Castle.
- The unveiling coincided with the 230th anniversary of the 1796 shipwreck.
The theft has reignited discussion about protecting Black British heritage during Black History Month and underscores calls for continued research into hidden historical narratives.