My second cousin, Ellis Wray 1877 - 1960
Ellis Wray was born at Breachwood Green, Kings Walden in early 1877, the son of Henry and Mary
Ann Wray. He had a basic education, leaving school at the age of 14 to work as a labourer. This was
hardly surprising as during the harvest of 1887, when Ellis was ten years old, he was absent from
school because he was working in the fields. The village school log book noted that, along with three
other children, he was away ‘without any real reason, except working’. (16 Sept. 1887)
By December 1901, he was employed by another Luton pawnbroker,
Mr Butcher of Bute Street when a young man attempted to steal two
coats and a vest:
A few months later, in July 1904, Ellis married Katie Hayward at Wellington Street Baptist Church,
Luton:
Ellis Wray worked on a farm when he was ten - yet 30 years later, he had opened a retail shop in
Luton. He became a successful entrepreneur who also led a double life for ten years.
By 1899, Ellis had left his rural roots. He walked from his home to
Luton and found work as an assistant pawnbroker at ‘Harmans’ which
was situated at Park Street, Luton. This job called for a degree of
literacy and numeracy. Then, in January 1899, he was working for a Mr
Edwards when a 12-y-o girl was accused of stealing a gold ring:
Five years later, on 4 February 1909, their only child, Winifred Kate, was prematurely born. She lived
less than an hour. Ellis was later to say that his ambition was to have sons to carry on his business,
but unfortunately Katie was unable to have more children.
The 1911 census revealed that Ellis and Katie were living in the six-roomed 12 Tavistock Crescent,
Luton and that he continued to work as a pawnbroker’s assistant (in 1903, under oath, he said he had
ten years experience). However, shortly afterwards, an exchange of opinion with the owner escalated
into an exchange of blows which left Mr Butcher without his dignity and Ellis without a job.
In 1913, showing drive, determination and a developing business acumen, Ellis started his own
business - initially a men’s clothing store – renting premises at 4 Castle Street Luton. This was near
the town centre and tits Corn Exchange. The shop was next to the Red Lion Hotel (see below). Ellis
and Katie, like many trades-people, lived above the property.
Ellis’ shop in 1933. (l to r): Mansell Jones, Ellis Wray, Percy Windmill and William Wray
Ellis’ commercial strategy was a reflection of his poor, rural background. Luton was the shopping
magnet for the many farm labourers who lived in the surrounding villages and Ellis offered working-
class clothing at low prices – ‘E. Wray for value’. From the outset he faced and overcame opposition
from Luton’s other retailers.
The shop’s windows were crammed with merchandise and every available position was used to show
stock. The shop front was adorned with goods, and merchandise overflowed onto the pavement. At
the start and end of the business day, it took almost an hour to set-up and to dismantle the display.
Goods were illuminated by extra lighting to be certain that passers-by did not miss a bargain. The
store was open until 7.00 pm on weekdays; 9.00 pm on Saturdays and before Christmas, it closed its
doors at midnight.
The business expanded. Nos. 6 and then 8 Castle Street were added to the store and with the extra
space came extra lines – now Ellis sold jewellery, works of art, beds and bedding, carpets and rugs,
sewing machines, cameras, musical instruments and umbrellas. Among their wares were also
second-hand goods. However, the shop continued to sell its trademark clothing: a ready-to-wear suit
cost just 14/11 (75p) and warm underwear and cord breeches were consistently in demand. It was
Ellis’ boast that nothing had been made that he had not at one time sold.
As a small shopkeeper, Ellis was exempted from
military service during The Great War. However,
possibly as a response to some adverse comments,
he joined the Special Constabulary (left). As an
upholder of law and order, Ellis did not sympathize
with the post-war rioters of Luton.
Ellis began to employ more staff. His right-hand man
was Percy Windmill who worked for him for him for
52 years. Ellis’ older brother, William Wray (right),
worked at the shop on Saturdays. Then, in October
1916, Ellis bought six cottages at Breachwood
Green, Kings Walden:
In September 1917, the following case was brought before local magistrates:
The success of his venture at Luton encouraged Ellis to open another
shop at St Albans Road, Watford in the early 1920s. This enterprise also
provided him with the opportunity to live a double life away from Luton.
Ellis formed a relationship with Nora Isabel Moul who was twenty-three
years his junior. Nora was born in 1901 at Gateshead, Co. Durham. She
was the daughter of a ‘fireman stationary engine’ (or machine).
Nora had moved from the north-east to London and thence to
Hertfordshire where she nursed at Napsbury Mental Hospital. It is thought
that she and Ellis met during one of his motoring excursions. Two sons,
Edward and Gordon were born to the couple at Watford in 1925 and 1933.
The early 1930s were unsettling times in Ellis’ personal life. His father,
who was living with him, died on 14 February 1932. His second son was
born a year later on 29 April 1933. Then, his wife, Katie, passed away on
11 July 1935.
The following year, in 1936, Ellis married Nora at
Watford (see above, right). The family moved into a
new house at 36 Ludlow Avenue (right), which was
situated in a desirable part of Luton.
Their new home was evidence that the business was
flourishing. As a result, Ellis was able to send his new
wife and children to the seaside for holidays twice a
year even in wartime. He was also able to indulge
himself in his main leisure interest – ‘smart cars’.
He bought a selection including Singer (2), Humber
(2) and a Sunbeam Talbot. His favourite model was
an Alvis; maroon with cream wings. But this was
replaced following an accident on the A1 which left
the car overturned in a ditch and Nora needing
treatment for broken ribs and a punctured lung.
Ellis continued working despite developing diabetes
and suffering a heart attack in the 1950s. Nora
persuaded him to retire to the Bournemouth suburb of
Southbourne where he died following a final stroke on
6 December 1960. Because of his expressed wish, he
was buried in Katie’s grave at Luton. Norah, who was
considerably younger than Ellis, died at Exeter on 8
October 1987.
After Ellis’ death, the business in Luton continued as a
limited concern with Nora as the Chairman and Percy
Windmill as the Managing Director. In the 1960s,
Percy’s son, Peter ran the business. The rented
premises were later sold to the Trust House Forte
group who then extended the adjacent Red Lion
Hotel.
Ellis is remembered as a generous man – one who
.
helped his siblings start a businesses, acquire homes and who supported them when their children
were being educated. He also employed his brother in the shop. The incident involving his earlier
employer was uncharacteristic, as Ellis was a peaceable man. He received regular visits from long-
time friends who treated him with respect. Although his life-style was at odds with religious teachings,
Ellis reflected his nonconformist background by sending his sons to the local Ceylon Baptist Sunday
school. He enjoyed reading – his favourite author being Thomas Hardy.
Despite his hopes, his sons did not follow Ellis into his business yet he was proud of their
achievements – his elder son was awarded a BSc in aeronautical engineering at London University
and was appointed as Chief Engineer of the East African Airlines. Ellis’ younger son is medically
qualified and practised as a Consultant Anaesthetist.
(I am grateful to Gordon Wray for his help, information, photographs and encouragement
in preparing this article.)
Luton News - ‘Yesteryear’: December 2010
I was grateful to eagle-eyed, Ron Powney who spotted the photograph above in the Luton News. It
was accompanied by the following text:
‘One well-known Luton shop, one famous actor and one rare photograph...
It’s Castle Street, Luton, in September 1949 and Alec Guinness was in town to shoot his latest film,
Last Holiday. He played George Bird, an unmarried and unassuming salesman who visits a physician
for a routine check-up and is told he has a newly identified disease which allows him only a few weeks
to live. Bird, pictured above with Mrs Poole, played by Kay Walsh, accepts the doctor’s advice to take
his savings and enjoy himself in the little time left to him. He decides to spend his last days in an up-
market hotel among its elite clientele. Guinness, who was to be knighted 10 years later, is pictured,
second left, outside E. Wray’s store, which traded in Luton for 77 years between 1913 and 1990.
Wray’s, known as the working man’s clothier, carried stock that was large and varied. It took almost an
hour at opening and closing to display or remove all the items that hung outside or stood on the
pavement. Ready-to-wear suits were from 14s 11d (75p) or used ones from 8s 6d (43p). The shop,
which later moved to Upper George Street to make way for a Red Lion Hotel extension, also sold
bedding, carpets, jewellery, musical instruments and cameras.’
This was the reaction of Ellis’ son, Gordon Wray, to the news story: ‘Terrific! I do remember the
episode of the filming in which the shop was used although I was not present at any time. I also
believe that this lasted for several days and interfered with business but my father expressed the hope
that it would prove to be a good advertisement.
I am very clear that he was promised compensation for loss of takings which, of course, was not
received. Perhaps the only compensation was to have his prejudices confirmed about “those sort of
people”. He was doubtful about the idea from the first and discussed it at home where perhaps my
mother persuaded him – she was an ardent film-goer and I clearly recall being taken to the Savoy
Cinema in George Street to see that latest Deanna Derbin film when I was about 4 years old.’
The then-shop manager, Peter Windmill, added these comments:
‘Thanks for forwarding the picture; it certainly brought back memories of that day all those years ago (I
was just 17). I remember the film crew invading the shop, turning it upside down, and creating havoc
(even more than was normal!). Some passers-by were hired as “extras” for a few hours, earning
themselves 21/- each (at that time a considerable sum) and your Dad was promised that a cheque
would be sent to him later. That money never did materialise, causing considerable upset!
Who would believe that such a picture could turn up after all this time – the film ‘The Last Holiday’
long ago passed into history. Perhaps I might look on the net and see if a dvd is available – it would
be quite nice to have.
Steve Olsnam also wrote: ‘I read with great interest the article on Ellis Wray. It brought a tear to my
old eye as I worked at 46 and 8 Castle Street from 1952 - 58. I started there sweeping the floor when I
was 14. I often tell people about this early job that I had as it was like working in Victorian times
working with Percy Windmill and Ellis.
Percy used to live upstairs with his family above the shop then and he was a really nice chap. Your
picture of Ellis sitting at his roll top desk with his old pedestal telephone and with his Craven A
cigarette is exactly as I remember him. Ellis was a really nice chap even though he insisted on calling
me Claude as that was the name of my predecessor and this was how it was for the 5 years I worked
there. I actually passed my test in his Sunbeam Talbot and I used to have to deliver carpets on the
roof every week. Those were the days...’
