The Forgotten Survivor of Peterloo | Manchester News

Two centuries after the Peterloo Massacre, historian David Olusoga brings to light the harrowing story of William Cheatham, a Bolton weaver and veteran who survived a cavalry sabre attack during the 1819 protest demanding voting rights. Using newly uncovered newspaper accounts, Olusoga’s new podcast reveals how Cheatham, nearly killed by a cavalry trumpeter nicknamed “The Butcher of Waterloo,” spent years pursuing justice through Parliament—only to be thwarted by systemic indifference. His overlooked struggle underscores a broader truth: history’s most powerful lessons come from the lives of ordinary people whose courage shaped democracy. This fresh exploration, supported by the People’s History Museum, ensures that Cheatham’s voice—and countless others like him—are finally heard. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/e1433d4c90295965