The Editor, Sir:
In the Sunday Gleaner of July 16, I read the history of Fort Augusta with particular reference to the prison and failed to see mention of the individual who established the prison at that site.
Early in 1946, my wife and I travelled back to Jamaica after we had both served in the world war of 1939-1945. Among the English army officers with us was Captain Reginald Firman, (REME) Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He had applied to the war office to serve the rest of his time and be demobilised here, as he was a regular army officer.
We became friends and met often. During one of his visits to our home in 1949, he told me that he had applied to the prisons for a job and was successful. One night I visited Reg at his quarters in one of the large houses opposite the Tower Street Prison and he showed me the replica of a prison he had built with match sticks and said he would like to build such a place at Fort Augusta where he and I had
visited sometimes after a fishing trip, and used to fall asleep on top of the wall.
BUILT BY PRISONERS
I suggested that he show his replica to the Director of Prisons, Mr. Childs. Mr. Childs fell for the idea and Reg built the prison using the prisoners from Tower Street, taking them and materials daily by boat.
He did a great job and the
prisoners had great regard for him to the extent that one day a prisoner escaped and they all, prisoners alike, went in search, found him in the backwoods of Spanish Town, and were about to beat him for not appreciating the good treatment Captain Firman was giving them, but were
prevented from doing so by Captain Firman.
Captain Reginald Firman
was eventually transferred to Richmond Farm Prison and subsequently retired. He took as a second wife a Jamaican lady and they both adopted two beautiful and talented children. He died late 1960.
I am, etc.,
L.W. MARCH C.D.
Dental Surgeon
"Tasmin"
Garth Road
Kingston 8
