Ernest Frank Ferry was born in Poole, Dorset, England on 21 September 1880. By 1885 he had moved with his family to London and was articled to John Groom from 1897 to 1900. He attended the Architectural Association Schools in London where he was awarded a Silver Medal in 1904-05 and was a Saxon Snell Scholar in 1910-11. He also studied at University College, London.
After completing his articles, Ferry worked as an assistant to Henry David Davis (1838?-1915), Barrow Emmanuel (1841-1904) and Henry Charles Smart (1860-1948) of Davis & Emanuel. He subsequently practised as an architect in Forest Gate, Essex and in London. He was for some years a partner in the practice Charles C. Smart & Partners.
Ferry was elected a Licentiate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (LRIBA) in 1912.
His address was given as 2 Finsbury Circus, London in 1912; 134, Capel Road, Forest Gate, Essex. in 1912 and 1926; 21 Byron Ave, South Woodford, London in 1935 and 1939; and 73A Queen Victoria Street, London in 1939. He died in South Woodford, Essex on 16 December 1946
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 1: A-K. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001