Grandchester Pioneers

Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 – 1954), Saturday, 23 May 1936, page 7

GOLDEN WEDDING—FORMER GRANDCHESTER COUPLE

A couple well-known in the Grandchester district, Mr. and Mrs. William Rafter, celebrated their golden wedding on April 28. On that date, 1886, Bridget McGuire, who was born at Churchill on July 7, 1864, and William Rafter, who was born at Bundamba on October 7, 1863, were married in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Ipswich. They settled in Grandchester, where Mr. Rafter worked as a shearer until 1898. In that year he entered the service of the Railway Department, which employed him as lengthsman then ganger until his retirement. Last year Mr. and Mrs. Rafter removed to Wilston to live with a daughter, Mrs. J. J. Donnelly. They have a family of five sons and two daughters, while there also are 18 grandchildren.