by Walter Stoneman is on the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London. 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 pre-dated 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, aged 75. 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". Family Rafter's two sons, Charles Rafter and William Pearce Houghton 'Robin' Rafter, were both officers with the Royal Air Force. Charles was a pilot officer with 214 Squadron, flying Wellington bombers, and was killed after crashing into a hangar on take-of at RAF Stradishall on 11 October 1940. He was buried next to his father. Robin had volunteered to fly fighter aircraft in the Battle of Britain, having previously flown army co-operation aircraft. He was wounded in action while flying for the first time with 603 Squadron against German fighters on 5 September 1940. After convalescence and attending the funeral of his brother he returned to service, on his next flight he crashed while returning to RAF Hornchurch on 29 November 1940. He was buried next to his father and brother. There was also an elder daughter, Elizabeth. Footnotes 1860 births 1935 deaths Police officers from Belfast Alumni of Queen's University Belfast Alumni of the University of London Royal Irish Constabulary officers British Chief Constables Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire Northern Irish recipients of the Queen's Police Medal People educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution Birmingham City Police