A Family Story from Fulham: Ernest Walter Ray’s Misadventure at the Soldiers and Sailors’ Federation Club
It was an ordinary night in Fulham, just after the First World War—a time when men who had served their country in the trenches or at sea were trying to find their place back in civilian life. Among them was Ernest Walter Ray, a 35-year-old motor fitter living at 53 Fulham Road, and, as it turns out, a distant relative of mine.
On that fateful evening, Ernest walked into the Soldiers and Sailors’ Federation Club at 57 New King’s Road, a popular social spot for veterans to unwind over a drink and some company. These clubs had sprung up across Britain, offering ex-servicemen a sense of belonging, a cheap meal, and a place to gather with those who understood the struggles of life after service.
But not every night at the club was smooth sailing.
The Incident Unfolds
According to the court records, Ernest showed up at the club in the late hours, looking for a drink. When the stewardess asked him for his membership card, he claimed he’d left it at home. A little later, around 10 PM, he offered to buy a drink for a fellow patron, Robert Loudon, a commercial traveller from Felden Street. But it wasn’t as simple as that—alcohol couldn’t be served after hours, so when Robert pointed this out, Ernest tried to reassure him with a bold claim:
“That’s all right. I’m a police officer.”
When asked for his warrant card—the standard proof of identity for officers—Ernest couldn’t produce one. Sensing trouble, he bolted out of the club.
A Wild Chase Through Fulham
The chase that followed must have been quite the spectacle. Ernest ran down New King’s Road, with shouts of “Stop him!” filling the air. A blind man, Michael John Printie, heard the commotion, while P.C. Neill (24B) of the local police—on duty in the area—caught sight of Ernest running and quickly intervened.
Neill managed to catch up to Ernest at Waterford Road, bringing him back to the club for questioning. It wasn’t long before Ernest was taken into custody.
A Lenient Outcome
The next day in court, the magistrate heard the case. Neill, the arresting officer, described Ernest as heavily intoxicated but otherwise known in the community as a hard-working man. Robert Loudon testified about the incident, and Printie confirmed what he had heard.
Ernest’s actions—pretending to be a police officer—could have led to more serious consequences, but the magistrate, Mr. Boyd, decided Ernest had no malicious intent. Instead, he chalked it up to foolish behaviour, perhaps fuelled by a few too many drinks, and discharged him without conviction.
A Friend’s Attempt to Help
Interestingly, Ernest’s friend, William Alexander Young, also got tangled up in the night’s events. When Young saw Ernest being taken away by the police—surrounded by a crowd of about 200 people—he tried to intervene, saying Ernest’s wife had asked him to check on her husband. Young was also charged with obstructing the police, but like Ernest, he was discharged under the Probation of Offenders Act—a legal mechanism that allowed the court to avoid formal punishment in cases where a lesson had likely been learned.
A Window Into the Past
For me, as a descendant connected to the Ray family, this story brings the past vividly to life. I imagine Ernest as a man trying to find his footing—perhaps still carrying the scars of war, working hard during the day, and blowing off steam at night with old comrades in the club.
The Soldiers and Sailors’ Federation Club, like many others in London, was a place where veterans gathered to share stories, to remember, and sometimes, to get into trouble. It wasn’t always glamorous—sometimes it was messy, chaotic, and a bit rough around the edges. But it was a space where men like Ernest could feel a sense of belonging, even as they stumbled through the challenges of post-war life.
That night in Fulham, Ernest might have made a poor choice—pretending to be a police officer was certainly no small matter—but it’s also a reminder of the human side of history. People make mistakes. They try to navigate their world as best they can, sometimes getting caught up in the moment. And, if they’re lucky, the law offers a second chance.
The Legacy of Soldiers and Sailors’ Clubs
The Soldiers and Sailors’ Federation Clubs were an important part of British social history. They weren’t just pubs; they were lifelines for veterans who often faced unemployment, poverty, and mental health struggles after returning from war. They provided cheap food, entertainment, and—importantly—a community.
Clubs like the one at New King’s Road have faded into the past, but their legacy lives on in the stories of men like Ernest Ray. They remind us that history isn’t just about grand events or famous figures. It’s about ordinary people, navigating life in all its complexity, sometimes making mistakes, but always carrying the threads of family, community, and resilience.
