Fundraiser set up to replace plaque 'stolen' from Portchester Castle commemorating prisoners of war
The plaque commemorated African Caribbean people brought to Britain as prisoners of war in the 18th century
A newly unveiled plaque to commemorate African Caribbean people brought to Britain as prisoners of war in the 18th century has gone missing, presumed stolen, from Portchester Castle.
The plaque was unveiled on October 9 as Caribbean communities and international guests gathered to mark 230 years since the prisoners were brought to Britain.
Portchester Castle staff discovered the plaque was missing on October 14, having secured the site the night before, after a padlock to one of the castle’s gates had been removed. A GoFundMe has now been started to replace the memorial by British historian and racial justice campaigner Sir Patrick Vernon OBE.
“It's been reported as a racially motivated incident, which is quite worrying and quite disturbing,” said Sir Vernon.
“I'm sure people in the local area of Portsmouth would want to support this important cause and to demonstrate that we can't tolerate discrimination and hate crime.”
The memorial was commissioned by St Vincent and the Grenadines 2nd Generation (SV2G), a UK-based Caribbean arts and heritage organisation, and funded by the University of Warwick, to commemorate the arrival 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 held at Portchester Castle.
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.”
His Excellency Anthony Severin, High Commissioner for St. Lucia and Chair of The Caribbean Community Diplomatic Caucus in the UK, said: “This is a sad reflection on those responsible for this desecration of the memory and spirit of our commemorated ancestors whose story is an indelible part of Caribbean and British history. We will ensure that the plaque, whether returned or replaced, will remain affixed to the walls of Portchester Castle. A resilient spirit never dies.”
Professor Katherine Astbury, from the University of Warwick, added: “We are deeply saddened that something created to honour this remarkable group of men, women and children 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.”
Iona Keen, Head of Learning and Interpretation at English Heritage, said: “The story of the African Caribbean prisoners of war is an integral part of Portchester 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.”