“The Love That Dare Not Speak”: The 1907 Clementson–Dixon Letters and Confession
On 25 September 1907, two police inspectors were witness to statements and certain letters at the offices of Buck & Dicksons, 17 Winckley Street, Preston, Lancashire, England. These were written by George Douglas Clementson, aged 27, of Ashton-under-Lyne, to Ernest Leslie Bassett Dixon, aged 22, of Bushell Place, Preston.
One hundred and four years later, the letters and statement came into my possession. The content could well have sparked an Edwardian scandal. As a curious historian, I am fascinated with the content and the two characters – the man in love and the man whom he adored. I have researched both of them. I discovered that one had a desperately short life, whilst the other lived into old age. One was Rugby and Oxford educated – an ‘author’ and ‘journalist’. The other worked in a law firm and then (presumably following this episode) was out of work and living on private means. Both were born in the 1880s, from well-to-do upper middle-class backgrounds. Both lived in the same area of Lancashire. Although acquainted, one of them was seemingly unaware of the other’s long-term desire.
This was the Edwardian gentile age, only seven years away from a world war that was to change their immediate lives forever.
I. The Letters: A Confession in Ink
The four letters reveal the seemingly inoffensive infatuation of George Clementson toward Leslie Dixon. Although they ramble along somewhat, they illuminate just how difficult it was in Victorian and Edwardian times for unspoken feelings of affection—especially same-sex affection—to be expressed. Clementson, writing under the pseudonym “Mr. X,” begins with a restrained but emotionally charged narrative that reads like a private fairy tale: he had admired “D.” from afar, fallen in love with him, and had finally decided to confess.
As the letters progress, Clementson becomes bolder, more desperate. He lays bare his emotions with remarkable honesty, even introducing erotic and submissive elements that might alarm a modern reader. But they also reflect the psychological torment of repression: the longing for connection, for intimacy, and for acceptance, however fleeting.
It would appear that George Clementson knew Leslie Dixon socially and possibly through work connections, although of course he didn’t reveal his identity until the very end—when the two of them were making arrangements to finally meet. Clementson’s emotions shift from poetic longing to deeply personal fantasy. He imagines sleeping beside Dixon, undressing him, kissing him, even offering to be beaten by him in symbolic acts of devotion and submission. These are not crude letters. They are the cry of a man searching for meaning in a world that offered none for the love he felt.
These are fascinating letters written by a love-sick, infatuated Clementson to a presumably unsuspecting Dixon. The style in which they are written is in parts quite beautiful, and in other parts marginally offensive and obscene to the untrained eye. But they reveal an underlying Edwardian culture that had to remain underground for another two generations. This really was “the love that dare not speak its name.”
II. Discovery, Legal Intervention, and the Confession
The very fact that these letters were found in the hands of lawyers suggests that either Leslie Dixon or his family decided to take certain action to end—or even prevent—a liaison from taking place. It was to be another 60 years before homosexuality was legally recognised in the United Kingdom. Although we know today that relationships and affairs did go on secretly behind closed doors during Edwardian times, Clementson was playing a dangerous game that could have ended in imprisonment.
Yet despite his openness and hopeless desire to express himself on such an intimate level, he cared little for the danger to himself or the potential alarm to Ernest Leslie Dixon, the young man he adored.
As the letters progress, arrangements are underway to enable Dixon to identify Clementson. Although they were already socially acquainted, it became clear that the anonymous letters had come from someone within Dixon’s close circle. Clementson asked Dixon to wear a red tie if he was open to a liaison. Dixon complied, and a carefully coded advertisement was placed in the local newspaper, arranging for the two men to meet.
So the scene was set. A date arranged.
But before the encounter could occur, the entire business was brought to an astonishing and abrupt end—inside a lawyer’s office, with two police officers present. George Clementson was forced to apologise for writing the letters and allegedly upsetting Ernest—and, crucially, “others.” Although Dixon witnessed the apology, he did not press charges. This leads me to presume a third party (“others”) intervened—possibly close family, or even the police, who might have intercepted the advertisement in the paper, the letters, or both.
III. The Signed Statement: Submission and Shame
The final document in the set is Clementson’s brief handwritten confession. Dated 25 September 1907, and witnessed by Dixon, two lawyers, and two police inspectors, the note formally admits guilt. Clementson confesses to having written “obscene and lascivious letters,” and acknowledges that they caused agitation and distress—not only to Dixon, but to others.
The language is submissive: “I submit myself to any punishment he [Dixon] may think fit.” It is the language of a man who knows he has overstepped a dangerous line—not merely of propriety, but of legality. And yet, unlike so many men of his generation caught in similar situations, Clementson was spared prosecution. Dixon declined to pursue charges. The reasons remain speculative—but it’s not unreasonable to believe that Clementson’s sincerity, and perhaps a degree of private sympathy, influenced that outcome.
IV. Aftermath: A Short Life, and a Long One
It is difficult to work out whether Clementson’s love for Dixon was ever reciprocated. But we do know that within a short time—by 1911—Ernest had relocated to London. He joined the army in 1916 but was disabled out by the end of the year. He lived in London until his death in 1920, aged just 35.
Clementson, by contrast, was listed as out of work in 1911, living at the family home in Preston. Around 1912, he moved to Peel on the Isle of Man, where he lived until 1958. He never married.
These are the bare facts of two lives whose brief, intense intersection survives in just five documents—documents that speak louder now than they ever could at the time they were written.
V. Historical Significance
This page contains intimate and highly sensitive material that is reflective of private expressions from the early 20th century, when such personal disclosures—particularly involving same-sex affection—were socially criminalised and culturally taboo. The content should be handled with appropriate care, especially if used for research, historical documentation, or public publication.
Important Historical Context Note: This document is a highly personal and intimate expression written in a time (1907) when such sentiments between men were socially and legally condemned. The document is of considerable historical interest for understanding Edwardian-era attitudes toward same-sex desire, repression, and the coded or confessional language used to express them. It should be approached with sensitivity and scholarly discretion.
These five documents together represent one of the most complete and candid expressions of same-sex infatuation surviving from the Edwardian period. They chart a course from private longing to public confession, from poetic passion to real-world consequence.
That they were preserved—and not destroyed—is remarkable. That they are read today is essential.
Page one
Private & Confidential For the eyes of Mr. Leslie Dixon alone— from Mr. X.
Once upon a time there was a young man called D. who lived in the east. There was also another young man, not quite so young, nor so dark perhaps, nor even, alas, so good-looking, who (as his identity is at present not unknown to D.) can be designated by the letter X. Now X. first knew D. by sight about 6 years ago, when D. appeared to be a most great friend with another fellow, that X. thought it would be absolutely useless getting to know D. personally, & therefore did not try, although he liked the looks of D. even in those days, & used to look forward to the daily appearance of D. on a cycle. This went on for about 3 years, & then D. & this other fellow seemed to become less friendly— why X. is at a loss to judge, because he cannot understand how anybody, however different to little D., could ever quarrel with him; but he is not interested to know what took place. Well about this time X. was introduced to D., & shook hands for the first time, & when his hand came in contact with D.’s, he was conscious of a sort of magnetic thrill which appeared to communicate itself from D.’s tiny soft hand to his own throbbing palm. Since this time X. & D. have become pretty well acquainted, & every step D. takes & talk where they follow one another, & always walk home together, is like ceremony (which, give in to X. the result of pleasure).
X. always observed even the inadequate voice in national dramas, & has never believed that the absence of affinity or intelligence is ever sufficient to mar or counteract completeness, which he also does when he is either talking to D. or else he is next to where D. is. He always sees very pleasant sides to X., & inspires those attempts in the short ability D. does not think or care about X. as X. does for D. yet nevertheless D. does like X. very much he always shows it much with him! sometimes does not see D. for days or sometimes weeks together, & misses him very much, because during these last 2 years (when he has been spoken to D. pretty freely) he has gradually learned to care & to love D. & at the present time he is awfully keen on D. & never so happy as when he is in hearing of his voice, or watching of face, & turning his eyes across D.’s well-made body. Only this is the position of this at the present time, & it is because X. has come to the conclusion, that it cannot go on to this, without D. knowing & possibly reciprocating it, & it is this that has made him determined to tell D. that there is somebody— another fellow— who cares for him very much indeed, & who wants to be really & truly friends with him— chums in fact!— who wants to have all the pleasant experiences with…
Page two
Private & Confidential
(Two fellows can be such close chums when they are intimate & close friends. X. knows it is not unusual for a fellow to tell another where he feels he has drifted towards D., but he is so fearful of it that X. feels that he must let D. know that somebody—X.—thinks more of D. than of ambition or his dreams, & than if D. takes no notice & with even the comfort of knowing that as D. takes no trouble to find out the identity of X. (as mentioned afterwards) he does not want to have anybody as a very great friend, & will be able to rub along better than at present, with his more boorish companions. But if D. is inclined to be fond and friendly and fond, he would at once like X. & D. in their friendship, would be nearer and fonder & quieter times together, & yet actually grow as sentimental & close as 2 fellows can do when they are hand in hand with one another.
X. has been a fair time of trying to suppress his feelings towards D. no longer being able to hold in his pen a desire to find out his mind how he feels towards D. He not only thinks of D. during the day specifically & dreams of him distinctly. D. knows X. thinks the same, & after one teaching of close approach would be keen (for the reasons given above) desire in return to let D. know that to some Victorians at the time it is no use conversation, but the physical bodily sensibility of what a true friend is able to be. Having said this, X. thinks it well to let D. know, that he X. has now been a follower of the author of “Be Prepared”, & to his best counsel and understood the state of mind of anybody who does follow that brilliant but misguided man, & does talk with intense abhorrence and even who pretends what “the little minister” man did some years ago.
X. knows, & is sure that D. abhors his views on these 2 subjects. If he thought otherwise D. could not esteem that this communication would never have been written, as X. is fine type of man that the 2 practices referred to are among the things which no fellow can do. Apart from those 2 follies, X. is not at all thick-headed, or thinks that 2 young fellows who are chums can show their affection towards one another, in the proper way that exists between them, & knows many that are available and none are of fail to profess, but unlike all events, not even for the present however he only desires to know whether it could by his frankness, gain a reply sealed up by D., not to be opened by X. until after some time to be fixed.
X. wants to know if D. would like to spend more of his time with him & when spare time when D. or X. are out of fellows, to go about with him to the lakes etc in Western or Blackpool, or to swimming baths. Later on, perhaps, to spend quiet times for weekends.
Page three
Private & Confidential,
At holidays, & to be on these occasions as D’s room-mate, if not in bed fellows. X. would also like to be on these occasions D’s valet, ie to have the privilege of undressing him at night & putting him into his pyjamas, & of taking off his night things in the morning & dressing him. He would also want to give D. his hot bottle at nights, & to hold & see the markings. He has never yet seen D. without his clothes on, but would much like to do so, so he inquires from what he can see of D. clothed, that when D. is nude he has the figure of a young Greek god. Of course D. would be at liberty, if he wanted to, to use X’s valet & wardrobe, & it would be an understood thing that if one did any thing the other one could do likewise. It would be an understood thing practically to be chums of young fellows who were devoted to one another, & who lived together. X. would want D. to feel there was no need to be ashamed of X., & would also want to put his arms around dear old D., to have one of his legs between D’s & D’s leg between X’s legs. He thinks perhaps each would want this in pyjamas or night robes & would want to be so close to the face with D., and to be so close together, & to press soft hands touching various soft flesh. X. would whisper to D. how much he liked him, & what a fine decent fellow he was. X. would like to kiss D. (X. sees no reason why men chums would not do so) he would do so either on D’s mouth, or cheeks or neck (just as D. liked) & if D. did not wish it for in his head’s X. would think it an honour to be allowed to kiss any other parts of D.’s anatomy ie back, chest, buttocks or thighs, because he thinks such a lot of D. & would willingly kiss the cheeks of his bottom if D. told him to do so, & he would like him to come into contact with D’s nude flesh, & of course D. & X. chums would have to be locked in order to be properly himself. X. would also want to be able to stroke D’s bottom in its plump in bed together, & to be allowed to touch any part of D’s anatomy, except the private parts, & should therefore X. would not touch unless requested to do any by D., he would also expect D. not to handle X’s private parts, unless X. asked him to do so. At any thought X. did not rely on pleasure but to suppose that sets in. Whether this came from a mother’s memories of the greatest pleasure it’s possible to imagine, & would have copied D’s hand to perform the same act on X. which (saying if D. he does) X. would think as a token of heaven itself. X. is so fond of D. that he would also think it no degradation to be well whipped at D.’s hands, although X. is older & taller man than D., ie he would be quite prepared at any time to let
Page four
Private & Confidential.
D. either strip him, or may just slide his trousers & drawers or pants down, & then to position him in any position X. would like—half-kneeling—half-lying, half-kneeling-half-bending, flat on his face, on his back with his legs up, etc: etc: & having turned up his shirt & vest, to whip him on his naked buttocks & thighs with a Birch Rod, same as he gave a boy a jolly good hiding to who told X. across D.’s desk, to smack X.’s bottom with D.’s hand, ie should think D. could do it for him in the good-fashioned way, if he even thrashed D. then he would also ask to put each him down & birch him, if need be, would X. ever smack D.? X. would not answer the last, because it would be if he would inflict the pain, & if the treat would see him lying, exposed, ready & well whipped. If D. liked, X. would find D. at any time, for love, or to amuse, & roughing, caning, or smacking & would like to see D. lying exposed for a whipping in a dreamy condition with tears would X. beg of D. & make him cry. If he whipped him at home it would be very quietly done, as no fool to hurt him, although X. is not particular & used a bit, X. would be very careful not to strike too hard, or the buttock or thighs bleed. X. would also be always ready to do or fetch for D., if not, voice by administering an enema or taking the temperature for an enema, & would always be ready to ice face, chamois-wrists, across D.’s knee, if D. wished to act as Doctor to X. X. would think it a great honour to be anything even as welcomed post-bag. As regards social position or wealth X. is quite D.’s equal, but (although some misguided people think he’s not bad looking) he himself knows that he cannot compare with D.’s good looks (which X. knows off by heart!) but he is not badly marked, as D. will admit the first time he sees X. stripped—naked for birching purposes! At least X. has been told so. If D. takes no notice of this letter X. will conclude that D. does not wish to know him as a closer friend and chum, & will go away & place this childish case (X. has now seen D. today), back to back with his own handwriting & never let D. & shall not be a closer acquaintance, & puts a message to the Editor or Personal Column of The Daily Mail or The Lancashire Daily Post, X. will write a piece. Or if D. is favourable to having a great friend again & has some idea of X.’s adoring, let him send a cold note, & when he calls lunch the next time with any body he thinks of X.’s hand & face & eyes have been very kind & idle for some time past. Let D. suggest one forward little finger, & if it is X. he will bare all himself. Whatever happens D. must not be angry, because X. cannot help loving D. & did not see why he should not tell D. of it.
The Advertisement and Confession
Ernest’s advertisement in the Lancashire Evening Post appeared on Tuesday 24 September 1907, telling Clementson to meet at The Bull at 8.00pm the next day wearing a red tie (X. -D: “Bull,” Wednesday, 8.00pm.; red tie.”)
However on the 25th September 1907 George Clementson signed the following statement:
The confession
25:IX:07
I George Douglas Clementson confess to having wrote on to ELB Dixon obscene and lascivious letters causing as I have lately heard much agitation and irritation to the said ELB Dixon and several other persons whom he was obliged by force of evidence to consider the authors of the said letters.
In consideration of ELB Dixon staying legal judgement I submit myself to any punishment he (ELB Dixon) may shall think fit.
Signed
GD Clementson
E. Leslie B. Dixon (witness)
Edward Cayley (witness)
Inspector Walls 25th of September 1907
Inspector Cross 20th of September 1907
Note: The two inspectors did not witness the signature of the document I understand they merely signed it and they did it to show they have seen it on that date. J. B.
written on the outside of all the documents is the following:
“Copies of the letters which are subject of the action”
Please click the following for images to see the full size first letters written by George Clementson (please be advised that readers should be over 18 as this historic content could be considered to be of ‘adult’ in nature):
What Became of Ernest Leslie Bassett Dixon and George Clementson
Ernest Leslie Bassett Dixon
The fate of Ernest Leslie Bassett Dixon unfortunately is very sad. He was born in 1885 at Preston, Lancashire. His mother was Emma Dixon (née: Seed) and his father was James Bassett Dixon. Leslie went to Rugby School (1901), later to Oxford where he became Bachelor of Arts and later an author (1911 census he was living at 8 St. Agnes Place, Kennington, London). It is possible that he was not living at home for the same reasons George had started a new life on the Isle of Man. Ernest had served in the First World War in the Territorial Force and was discharged “on account of disability” through tubercle of the lungs. His military records described him as “single and journalist”of an exemplary character:
Ernest died in London of tuberculosis on the 16th October 1920 at the University College Hospital (St. Pancras), unmarried, at the age of 35.
He was living at 7 Albert Street, St. Pancras (‘Of no occupation – ex-Army’): Ernest Dixon did not leave a will and died intestate.
By 1920 both his parents were deceased and his estate was left to his brother Francis who died in 1960 (Lancashire Evening Post – Friday 22 October 1920):
George Douglas Clementson
George Douglas Clementson was born 18 Jan 1880 at Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire, England. His mother was Miriam Constance Clementson (née: Ousey) and his father was George Edward Clementson. The 1911 UK census shows George Douglas Clementson (aged 31) living at home with his parents and the rest of his family at Belmont North Promenade, St Annes-on-sea. He is described as an “out of work solicitor”. Quite likely George Clementson was unable to find work as a lawyer after this event in 1907. George died in 1958 on the 27th August aged about 78 at 5 Church Street, Peel, Isle of Man.According to Manx National Heritage “He (George Douglas Clementson) came to Peel from Lytham St Anne’s, Lancashire, as a young man, about 1912, having committed some indiscretion which disturbed his family and put an end to his career as a solicitor, although it does not appear to have been a matter of professional misconduct. He lived the rest of his life in Peel, and in the absence of any occupation, he interested himself in the natural history and antiquities of the Isle of Man. He came to be well-known among the Island’s naturalists and did much valuable observation and reporting, being particularly interested in its bird life.”
Looking Deeper and Understanding
This account is a fascinating and detailed look into the lives of George Douglas Clementson and Ernest Leslie Bassett Dixon, framed around a clandestine romantic relationship and the hidden queer culture of Edwardian England. Here’s a breakdown and analysis of the key points, historical significance, and what this story tells us about the era:
1. Historical Context and Social Taboo
The narrative begins by setting the scene in 1907, a time when homosexuality was both a criminal offense and a social taboo. The Offences Against the Person Act of 1861 and later the Labouchere Amendment of 1885 made acts of “gross indecency” between men punishable by law. This created an environment where any expression of same-sex desire was conducted in secret and with considerable risk.
Analysis:
The letters and interactions between Clementson and Dixon are emblematic of a hidden queer subculture. Their use of coded signals (e.g., the red tie) was necessary for safety and anonymity. The red tie served as a discreet indicator of interest, akin to the later “hanky code” of the 1970s.
This was a period when even hints of same-sex attraction could lead to severe consequences, including social ostracism, loss of employment, and legal action.
2. Clementson’s Letters: A Risky Confession of Love
The letters reveal George Clementson’s deep infatuation with Leslie Dixon. Despite the danger, Clementson wrote several letters to Dixon, expressing his feelings and attempting to gauge Dixon’s interest. The letters are described as rambling, emotional, and at times explicit, reflecting both the intensity of Clementson’s affection and his internal conflict.
Key Elements in the Letters:
Private and Confidential: Clementson refers to himself as “X” and addresses Dixon as “D,” maintaining anonymity while confessing his feelings.
Direct Appeal: Clementson pleads for a chance to meet and develop a closer bond, showing a blend of vulnerability and audacity. He acknowledges the impropriety of his actions but emphasizes his genuine affection.
Red Tie Signal: Clementson’s request for Dixon to wear a red tie if he was interested was a bold and risky move. It reflects the use of fashion as a covert signal within the queer community.
Analysis:
Clementson’s letters reflect a strong romantic desire that he cannot suppress, despite the potential for legal repercussions. His willingness to risk exposure speaks to the intensity of his emotions.
The letters also show the precarious balance of Victorian and Edwardian social norms. Clementson attempts to frame his feelings within the context of a “chum” relationship, perhaps to provide a socially acceptable guise for his deeper affection.
3. The Encounter and the Role of Law Enforcement
The story takes a dramatic turn when the letters come into the hands of lawyers, and Clementson is forced to sign a confession in the presence of police officers. Clementson admits to writing “obscene and lascivious letters,” and Dixon, as the recipient, witnesses the confession but does not press charges.
Analysis:
This incident highlights the legal dangers faced by men expressing same-sex desire in this period. The presence of police inspectors, even though they merely signed the document without witnessing the act, indicates the seriousness of the matter.
The intervention of a third party (likely family or law enforcement) suggests that Dixon’s family may have been involved in protecting him from scandal or in pressuring Clementson to stop his advances.
4. Cultural and Symbolic Importance of the Red Tie
The red tie as a symbol for gay men was part of a hidden language that allowed them to communicate their desires discreetly. By wearing the tie, Dixon appears to have signaled interest, at least initially, which suggests he may have had some reciprocal feelings or at least curiosity.
Analysis:
The red tie was a bold choice, as it was already becoming known as a queer code. It symbolized both rebellion against societal norms and the search for connection in an oppressive environment.
The act of wearing the tie and placing an advertisement in the Lancashire Evening Post shows the careful, calculated methods men used to connect discreetly. This demonstrates the existence of an underground network where men relied on coded gestures to find one another.
5. The Aftermath: Diverging Fates of Clementson and Dixon
The story concludes with the contrasting paths of Clementson and Dixon:
Ernest Dixon: After the incident, he relocated to London, where he eventually joined the army during World War I but was discharged due to disability (tuberculosis). He died unmarried in 1920 at the young age of 35.
George Clementson: Unable to continue his career as a solicitor, Clementson moved to the Isle of Man. He never married and lived the rest of his life in relative obscurity, engaging in hobbies like natural history.
Analysis:
The incident likely had lasting effects on both men. For Dixon, moving to London might have been an attempt to escape the scandal or start anew, but his early death suggests a life cut short by health issues, possibly exacerbated by the stress and secrecy surrounding his sexuality.
Clementson’s move to the Isle of Man and his withdrawal from public life indicate the social and professional damage caused by the scandal. His interest in natural history and antiquities could be seen as a retreat into solitary pursuits, away from the prying eyes of society.
6. Broader Historical Significance
The narrative encapsulates a broader historical theme: the hidden lives of queer people during the Edwardian era and their attempts to navigate a world where their desires were criminalized and stigmatized. It illustrates:
The Risks of Self-Expression: Clementson’s letters are a testament to the emotional turmoil faced by gay men who dared to express their feelings. The language of the letters, mixing affection with hesitation and fear, reflects the internalized homophobia and societal repression of the time.
The Use of Coded Language and Fashion: The red tie and coded advertisements reveal the creativity of queer individuals in finding ways to communicate and connect, despite the legal and social barriers.
Legal and Social Consequences: The incident at the lawyer’s office, with police involvement, exemplifies how quickly private matters could escalate into legal trouble. It underscores the power of family and societal pressures in enforcing heterosexual norms.
Background Conclusion
This story is a poignant glimpse into a hidden aspect of Edwardian society, shedding light on the secretive yet resilient nature of queer love. The letters between Clementson and Dixon, filled with longing and coded language, offer a rare and valuable window into the personal experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals at a time when they faced severe restrictions and dangers.
The historical importance of these documents cannot be overstated. They are a key piece of LGBTQ+ heritage, illustrating the courage and vulnerability of men who, despite the risks, sought to express their love and find connection in a hostile world. The legacy of the red tie and the narrative of Clementson and Dixon contribute to our understanding of queer history and the long struggle for visibility and acceptance.
The Law and the Police
The involvement of the police in the case of George Douglas Clementson and Ernest Leslie Bassett Dixon appears to have been the result of a complaint or intervention by a third party, most likely close family members or possibly someone from the legal firm where the letters were found. Here’s a deeper look into the situation:
1. Circumstances Leading to Police Involvement
The letters exchanged between Clementson (X) and Dixon (D) were private, but they eventually came into the hands of lawyers. It’s critical to understand why this would have happened:
Interception of the Letters: It’s possible that one of the letters was intercepted by a third party before reaching Dixon. Given the time period, mail was often handled by domestic staff or office clerks, especially among the upper middle-class families that both Clementson and Dixon came from. If a household member or office worker found a letter containing explicit content or romantic language between two men, they might have deemed it inappropriate or even criminal and handed it over to a superior, such as Dixon’s family or employer.
Family Involvement: Dixon’s family, being from a well-to-do, respectable background, would have been concerned about the potential scandal. They might have escalated the matter to a solicitor for legal advice. In Edwardian society, the family’s reputation was paramount, and any hint of homosexual behaviour could bring severe social disgrace. It’s plausible that Dixon’s family, upon learning of Clementson’s letters, took the matter to their legal advisors at Buck & Dicksons (a law firm), who in turn contacted the police.
2. Legal and Social Context
During this period, homosexuality was illegal and heavily stigmatized. The Labouchere Amendment (1885) criminalized “gross indecency” between men, making any form of homosexual conduct, including the exchange of love letters, a punishable offense. The mere suspicion of same-sex desire was enough to cause alarm:
Social Alarm: The letters themselves, even if they didn’t contain explicit descriptions of sexual acts, were likely considered “obscene and lascivious” due to the romantic nature of Clementson’s expressions. The emotional tone and Clementson’s declarations of affection would have been interpreted as immoral and indecent by the standards of the time.
Potential Legal Action: By involving a law firm, Dixon or his family might have been seeking to prevent any further communication and to protect Dixon’s reputation. The threat of legal action would have been a deterrent for Clementson, forcing him to stop his advances.
3. The Lawyers’ Role and Decision to Involve the Police
The role of the law firm, Buck & Dicksons, was crucial in this situation:
Legal Escalation: Once the letters reached the hands of lawyers, they had a legal obligation to address what was then considered a criminal matter. The content of the letters, combined with the public knowledge of the red tie code, would have been seen as evidence of “gross indecency” or intent to solicit homosexual acts. This would have been sufficient for the lawyers to notify the police.
Witnessed Confession: The presence of two police inspectors, Inspector Walls and Inspector Cross, at the signing of Clementson’s confession indicates that the matter had escalated from a private concern to a legal issue. The lawyers likely facilitated this process to formally resolve the situation, possibly to avoid a public trial that could have damaged the reputations of both parties involved.
4. Possible Third Parties: Family, Employer, or Colleagues
The identity of the third party who initiated police involvement is not explicitly stated, but it’s likely to be one of the following:
Dixon’s Family: Given Dixon’s social standing and family background, it’s highly probable that his family became aware of the letters and took swift action. They would have been motivated to protect Dixon’s reputation and prevent any scandal that might affect their social status.
Colleagues or Employer: Since both Clementson and Dixon were connected through professional circles, someone from their shared workplace or legal firm might have discovered the correspondence. In Edwardian England, it was common for employers to intervene in matters involving moral conduct, particularly if they believed it could bring disrepute to the firm.
The Legal Firm Itself: The law firm Buck & Dicksons may have taken it upon themselves to notify the police after reviewing the letters. This would have been a precautionary measure to ensure that they were not seen as complicit in any illegal activities, given the strict laws against homosexuality.
5. Why the Police Chose Not to Pursue Charges
Clementson’s written confession, witnessed by the police and lawyers, was a resolution intended to avoid public scandal. Several factors may explain why no formal charges were filed:
Dixon’s Reluctance to Press Charges: Dixon, as the recipient of the letters, did not press charges. This suggests that while he was likely upset or uncomfortable, he may not have wanted to see his friend prosecuted. It’s possible that Dixon had some affection or sympathy for Clementson, despite not reciprocating his romantic feelings.
Influence of the Legal Firm and Family: The legal firm and Dixon’s family likely preferred a discreet resolution. A public trial would have brought unwanted attention and could have exposed both men to greater scrutiny and social disgrace.
The Confession as a Compromise: By signing the confession, Clementson essentially admitted guilt, providing the police with a formal resolution without the need for a court case. This was a common practice in cases involving minor offenses or when a public trial was deemed unnecessary or undesirable.
Police and Legal Conclusion
The police were likely brought into the matter by a third party, most plausibly Dixon’s family or the legal firm, as a way to formally address the situation without escalating it to a public trial. The combination of the letters’ explicit romantic content, the legal obligations of the law firm, and the broader social fear of scandal in Edwardian society created a situation where police involvement was almost inevitable.
The case illustrates the severe risks faced by men expressing same-sex desire during this period. It highlights the precariousness of queer life in Edwardian England, where even private correspondence could lead to legal intervention and public disgrace. Despite the secrecy and coded language, the involvement of family, lawyers, and police shows how deeply homosexuality was policed and controlled, both legally and socially.
About the Red Tie ‘Code’
The red tie as a covert code for men seeking to pick up other men is part of the hidden history of queer subculture in the 19th and early 20th centuries. From the 1800s to the 1940s in the UK, the symbolism of red ties became associated with a growing underground network of men who engaged in same-sex relationships at a time when homosexuality was criminalised and heavily stigmatised.
The Red Tie as a Queer Code
The idea of wearing a red tie as a signal for same-sex interest first appeared in the urban areas of the UK, particularly in London, where secretive queer communities existed despite harsh laws against sodomy. Much like the later “hanky code” of the 1970s, the red tie served as a discreet way for gay men to identify one another in public without needing explicit communication. It was particularly useful in environments where overt signs of affection or interest were dangerous.
Why Red?
The choice of the colour red was not arbitrary. Red has historically symbolised passion, love, and sometimes rebellion. For men who wished to signal their interest discreetly, a red tie was a bold yet subtle accessory. It was easily visible but could also be dismissed as a simple fashion choice if questioned. The colour itself was striking, but the true meaning was only understood by those within the community.
Social and Legal Context
From the 1800s into the early 20th century, the UK had some of the harshest laws against homosexuality in Europe. The Buggery Act of 1533, later replaced by the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861, made sexual acts between men punishable by imprisonment or even death (before 1861). In this repressive environment, queer people developed codes and signals to communicate safely. Wearing a red tie was one of these subtle forms of self-expression, a way to defy societal norms without risking direct accusation.
Cultural Impact and the Taboo
By the late 19th century, the red tie had become well enough known that it carried a reputation even among straight men. Some avoided wearing red ties altogether for fear of being mistaken for gay, especially in urban settings like London, Manchester, and Brighton, where queer subcultures were more visible. The notoriety of the red tie grew to such an extent that it became a taboo fashion item for respectable men, much like wearing green carnations (another symbol associated with homosexuality in the time of Oscar Wilde).
Art and Public Perception
In the early 20th century, paintings and illustrations of men wearing red ties were sometimes barred from public exhibitions. Curators feared that these images would be interpreted as implicitly queer or promoting homosexual behaviour. The tie’s association with queer identity made it a symbol of defiance, yet also a source of scandal. The Victorian and Edwardian fascination with moral propriety meant that any public acknowledgment of queer signals, however subtle, was considered dangerous or obscene.
Decline of the Red Tie Code
By the 1940s, the association between red ties and same-sex interest began to wane, partly because of the increasing visibility of other queer symbols and the adoption of new codes, as well as the broader changes brought about by the Second World War. The war disrupted social norms and brought about a mix of people from different regions and cultures, making old codes harder to maintain. Post-war, the red tie’s meaning became diluted as it returned to being a common fashion accessory.
Legacy
The red tie’s role as a queer code is an important but often overlooked piece of LGBTQ+ history in the UK. It highlights the creativity and resilience of queer people in navigating oppressive legal and social systems. Although largely forgotten today, the red tie was part of the hidden language that allowed men to find connection and companionship in an era of persecution.
Today, understanding symbols like the red tie helps us appreciate the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people in the past and the ways they resisted conformity through subtle acts of rebellion.
Ernest Dixon did not leave a will and died intestate.
George Douglas Clementson