Roberts (The Peterloo Massacre)

Mr Roberts was the father of Cathy Roberts and the grandfather of Peter Roberts. He worked at Mr Hurley's factory on Oxford Street in Manchester in 1819. Despite the factory's horrible conditions, Roberts found it necessary to work there to support his family. After his wife died, Roberts needed Cathy to do all of the household tasks.

On 14 August 1819, the Fifth Doctor came to Mr Roberts searching for Nyssa after she went off with Cathy. Roberts remarked on the Doctor's visit to Hurley's factory and suggested that Nyssa and Cathy were probably with the protesters at St Peter's Field.

Shortly before the Peterloo Massacre on 16 August, Roberts approached the Manchester yeomanry and - fearing the safety of Cathy and Peter - pleaded that they not try to stop the peaceful protest with violence. Officer Walton dismissed Roberts as a "stinking peasant" and continued with his plans. After the massacre came to the infirmary looking for Cathy and Peter. After an encounter with William Hurley, Roberts was taken to Cathy by a nun. He learned that Peter had been killed in the massacre. He told Cathy that she "should have never gotten involved" and that "the likes of us, we have to keep our heads down". (AUDIO: The Peterloo Massacre)