The Napoleonic period continues to discharge its records in the form of newly discovered archive collections, as with the Dawson Collection, described in Age of Napoleon Issue 16. For many years now I have had a particular interest in the prisoners of war held in Britain during the period 1793-1815, and a short while ago I was informed of a collection of paintings held by Hampshire Museums Service, that included some on the prisons in the Portsmouth area. I was able to investigate this collection, and I believe it to be a unique and valuable selection of pictures. Here is a brief report.

CAPTAIN DURANT COLLECTION

Captain Durant served in the 2nd West Riding Militia between 1800 and 1814, and it is believed that for some of this period he was seconded to the Leeds Volunteers. Whatever his military service, he spent his leisure time in painting his immediate surroundings, and anything that attracted his attention in the vicinity of his postings.

His service included Dover Castle and Portchester Castle, the latter being one of the largest prison depots in the country at the time. He painted a variety of subjects, leaving us with a superb pictorial record of these locations during the Napoleonic Wars.

A few years ago Hampshire County Museums Service purchased these paintings (145 in total) at auction, and they now reside at Winchester. The collection includes many water-colours and pencil sketches, and they are a pleasure to view. I found the pictures of Portchester Castle, Norman Cross and Forton Prison more informative about the prisoners of war than the written records are in many cases. There are some interesting pictures of the interior of these prisons, showing the prisoners at work and at play. There is even a picture of the prison market at Forton, showing the prisoners displaying their wares for sale; this is the only picture I know of that shows any aspect of Forton Prison. Those of Portchester show not only the interior of the prison, but the extensive barracks built outside the Castle for the garrison; again, a rare set of pictures.

Dover is painted from the town looking at the castle; from the castle looking at the town; from the sea looking at both; and from various points around the castle. Other pictures include views of Southampton, Dartmoor, Portsmouth Dockyard, Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral, Churches, Lighthouses, ruins; in fact, a pictorial record of many places of interest in the southern part of England.

These pictures have, to my knowledge, not,been used in any published form so far, and they represent a valuable record of England in the early nineteenth century. They are not on public display, and so if you wish to see them you must contact Hampshire County Museums Service, Chilcomb House, Chilcomb Lane, Winchester, Hampshire, S023 8RD. Tel. 01962 846304, and make an appointment.

Elizabeth Castle

Last year I had the opportunity to visit Elizabeth Castle on the island of Jersey, with members of the Society of the American Revolution. While their event was based upon the French invasion of the island in 1781, it gave me the chance to look around what is a very impressive castle; a castle that spans the centuries and does include the Napoleonic period.

The castle was first built during the 1590s, and over the successive centuries was expanded and improved. Due to its close proximity to France, the military authorities have always maintained a state of readiness on the island, and this was particularly so during the period 17931815. Until Fort Regent was built overlooking the town of St Helier (constructed between 1806 and 1814), Elizabeth Castle was the main military base on the island. Today it is the principal military historical centre, and is well worth a visit.

Aside from a history of fortification from the 16th through to the 20th centuries ( the Germans went in for a lot of home improvements at the castle!), there is a selection of museums to visit within its walls. These museums are situated in the barracks constructed during the 18th century in the Lower Ward of the castle.

In the main exhibition hall there is an display entitled Granite and Gunpowder, which looks at the development of fortifications with particular reference to Jersey. The story links the development of these defence structures with developments in artillery, and includes a very good 15 minute audio-visual presentation entitled Granite and Gunpowder, covering the story of fortifications throughout the Channel islands.

The artillery includes a carronade circa 1800, which is a replica gun and carriage used by the Royal Navy but also in the defence of fortresses. There is a 24-pounder gun on its original carriage, and two 9-pounder barrels dating from about 1700. A small display is included on the story of the Martello Towers of the Napoleonic period. Other pieces include a falconet circa 1550, various late 19th century guns, and some weapons from the German occupation of the island.

In War and Peace is the story of Elizabeth Castle through the ages, and uses display dummies to illustrate the costume worn by the garrison over the centuries. There is an Invalid Artilleryman and carronade of the 1770s, and a recreated barrack room circa 1780. The period of the French Wars throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries is well represented with Brown Bess muskets and balls; a French musket charge from the Battle of Jersey in 1781; together with a drum said to have been used in that battle; plus a hammock used to carry wounded during the action.

The museum contains various documents relating to life in the castle. One document lists the troops present on Jersey from 15 August 1796 to 29 August 1800, while on display are the General Standing Orders for Elizabeth Castle for the late 18th century.

The history of the castle is continued through the 1 9th century with a recreated Officer's room of 1830; a barrack room in 1870; Royal Artillery uniforms of the latter part of the century; and a number of items from the German occupation of the island.

The third museum within the castle is The Regimental Museum of the Jersey Militia, which tells the story of the Island's militia from the 18th to the 20th centuries. This is a well-presented museum with numerous glass cases and large wall paintings of the uniforms. There is much relating to the Napoleonic period.

For example, I noted the following: 1st Regt - Grenadier Company, Officer's jacket circa 1813 (white facings). 2nd Regt - Grenadier Company, Officer's jacket circa 1816, (yellow facings). 3rd Regt - Centre Company, Officer's jacket circa 1816. 4th Regt - Centre Company, Officer's jacket circa 1812 (blue facings). Gorgets circa 1800; muskets; officer's swords; cavalry swords; and the recreated colours of the 95th Regiment of Foot, who were stationed on Jersey when the French invaded in 1781. These flags were reproduced for the 1881 celebrations.

One glass case has a collection of buttons found at the castle, and represents a number of the regiments stationed there over the years, from the Militia to various Line Regiments such as the 2nd, 12th, I 5th, 32nd, 68th, 69th, 102nd, 5th Royal Veteran Battalion, Royal Artillery and the Royal Invalids. The dates indicated on the display span the years 1780 to 1822, with some buttons being undated.

Elizabeth Castle is well worth a visit if you are on Jersey. Allow a day to visit all of the castle plus the museums. There are very good cafeteria facilities and a very basic souvenir shop. The entrance fee in the summer of 1994 was £ 2.50 per adult. You can only walk out to the castle along a causeway when the tide is out (it's about a mile), but when the sea comes in you can, for a fee of £ 2.50, take a ride in a converted World War Two DUKW.