Charles Rafter - Later Career and Death

Later Career and Death

When he had completed twenty-five years' service as chief constable, his men presented him with a life-size portrait of himself. Latterly there were moves to force his retirement, and questions were raised both about his age and mental and physical capacity. His appointment had predated legislation on police pensions in 1921 and he was unaffected by its provisions for compulsory retirement. The Birmingham watch committee and the home secretary permitted him to continue in office until his death.

Rafter died at his holiday home, Dennison Hall in Galway, on 23 August 1935. One of the longest serving chief constables in the United Kingdom, Rafter was in the police service for almost fifty-three years. His memorial service at St Martin's parish church in Birmingham's Bull Ring attracted a large congregation of prominent citizens and police officers. On the journey to St Peter's Church, Harborne, where his body was interred, the streets were lined by between 800 and 1,000 regular and special constables, the line of blue uniforms being described as "the most impressive guard-of-honour that has ever been seen in Birmingham".