Eric Ray was born in Kensington in London on 14 October 1888, the son of James Frederick Ray and Alice Blanche Ray. He joined the Royal Navy as a Cadet on 15 January 1904 and  was promoted to Midshipman on 30 July 1905 and promoted to Sub Lieutenant on 30 September 1908.

He joined submarines on 3 January 1911. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 April 1911 and on 8 August 1911 Eric Ray was appointed to HMS THAMES at Sheerness for Submarines. On 15 October 1912 he was appointed to HMS BONAVENTURE for Submarines.

He retired from the Navy in early 1914 and was transferred to the Emergency List. Eric Ray was recalled for further service during WWI, joining HMS VICTORY on 30 October 1914 and re-joined submarines with an appointment to HMS D4 as First Lieutenant on 6 March 1915.

He was appointed to the Battle Cruiser HMS QUEEN MARY on 19 June 1915. He died on Wednesday 31 May 1916 when HMS QUEEN MARY was sunk at the Battle of Jutland.

Eric Ray was the husband of Frederica Maisie Ray (née McClellan) of Llanhamlach Rectory, Breconshire. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval War Memorial on Panel No. 11.