From Cheshire village to Lancashire Constabulary, a Victorian policeman whose encounter with burglars changed the course of his life.

From a Cheshire village to the Lancashire Constabulary, follow the remarkable story of William Salthouse — a Victorian policeman whose encounter with a gang of burglars changed the course of his life.

William Salthouse was born near Nether Alderley in 1845, attended the village school and began his working life as a gardener. But in his early twenties he exchanged rural Cheshire for a very different life when he joined the Lancashire Constabulary.

In June 1870, while serving as a young police constable, William came upon a burglary in progress. The violent encounter that followed made headline news, brought him public recognition — and had consequences that would shape the rest of his working life.

Using family history research, contemporary records and the places William knew, Hilary traces her great-grandfather's journey from Nether Alderley to Victorian policing, and discovers what happened after the headlines faded.

Date: 7 October 2026

Day: Wednesday, 10.30am

Venue: Manchester Central Library

Speaker: Hilary Hartigan

Cost: members - free of charge

Cost: non-members - £5

Description supplied by the event organiser.