SALFORD REMEMBERS THE BICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE PETERLOO MASACRE

On a sunny day in August, 60,000 - 80,000 peaceful and predominately working class people from the region, embarked on a journey to call for parliamentary reform and a fairer and more just society for all.

What would happen later that day would become a stain on the fabric of our nation which would still continue to resonate 200 years after.

It is said that at least 18 people would lose their lives that day in the ensuing bloodbath, a further 650 men, women and children would suffer life changing horrific injuries in what would go on to be forever known as the Peterloo Massacre.

What was aimed to be a peaceful protest for greater democracy for the people, had descended into carnage as the order by overly spooked magistrates to send in the Calvary was given, a decision that would forever change our nation.

The first to be killed would be a two-year-old child who was knocked from his mothers arms and trampled to death under the hooves of horses as the the mounted yeomanry made their charge. The young William Fildes would be the first of many to be killed or injured that day.

John Ashton  was sabred and trampled on by crowd.

John Ashworth was sabred and trampled, he was a Special Constable, presumably attacked unintentionally by the cavalry.

William Bradshaw was shot by musket.

Thomas Buckley sabred and stabbed by bayonet.

Robert Campbell was killed by a mob in Newton Lane he was also a Special Constable.

James Crompton was trampled on by the cavalry.

Edmund Dawson died of sabre wounds at the Manchester Royal Infirmary.

William Dawson was sabred, crushed and killed on the spot.

Margaret Downes was killed by a sabre.

William Evans was trampled by cavalry, Evans was also a special constable.

William Fildes was just two-years-old when he was ridden over by cavalry, he was also the first to die that day, his mother was also struck and injured by the Calvary. 

Mary Heys was ridden over by cavalry, the mother of six children, and pregnant at the time of the meeting.  She died having been left disabled and suffering from almost daily fits following her injuries, the premature birth of her seven-month-old child resulted in her death.

Sarah Jones had no cause given for her death by Marlow but is listed by Frow as "bruised in the head". She was the mother of seven children and it was said she had been beaten on the head by a constables truncheon.

John Lees was an ex-soldier who had fought in the Battle of Waterloo.

Arthur Neil was said to have been inwardly crushed.

Martha Partington the Eccles woman was thrown into a cellar and killed on the spot.

John Rhodes sustained a sabre wound to the head. His body would suffer the further indignity of being dissected by order of magistrates who wished to prove that his death was not a result of Peterloo. The coroner's inquest concluded that he had died from 'natural causes'.

Joshua Whitworth was shot at New Cross.

To mark the bicentennial anniversary, a number of events will be taking place across the region.

For a full list of events please see the official website: https://peterloo1819.co.uk/events/

On Saturday the 17th of August a section from Salford will set off at 1:15 pm from Cobden Street to the big event outside Manchester Central Exhibition Centre where speeches will be given and and the six-acts 'illegal picnic' will take place. The march will join up with fellow marchers from Middleton en-route at Deansgate.

The following day on Sunday the 18th of August will see a 'March for Democracy' led by local trade unionists who will be meeting at 11:30 am on Queen Street before rallying upon Albert Square at 1:00 pm whereupon speakers will address the crowds and live family friendly entertainment and appearances by several well known celebrities are set to mark the occasion. The event will close at 4:00 pm.