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.
