Walter was born in Stamford in 1899. In 1911, aged 12, he was living at 40 St Paul’s Street (now demolished) with his parents Henry and Elizabeth (nee Pridmore) Ringham and his 25 year old brother Arthur. His father was an agricultural implement fitter and his brother Arthur was a foundry labourer. His other siblings were Elizabeth (1882), married and living in Grantham, Florence (1883), a servant in St George’s Rectory, and William (1885) was also married and living in Grantham. All the family except for their mother were born in Stamford. She was born in Woodnewton, Northamtonshire..

In 1901 Walter, aged 2, was living with his parents and brother Arthur at Waterside, Ryhall, Rutland.

In 1916, aged 18, Walter enlisted into the army at the Drill Hall in Stamford. Before enlisting he was a labourer at an engineering works. Private Walter Ringham (37957) was enlisted into 10th Territorial Reserve Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. He was transferred into the 2/6 South Staffordshire Regiment (11th December 1917) as Private (42195) and served during several postings on the Western Front. During 1917 he was twice hospitalized with scabies for which he was treated with Sulphur chambers/baths. Following a gas shell attack he was in hospital for 18 days from 25th May 1918 – his condition was described as ‘very nervous, tremulous, no photophobia, no cough, no bronchial abnormal sounds’ . Following treatment he was declared fit ‘for convalescence at home’.

He was finally discharged on 25th September 1919. He received the British and Victory Medals.

In December 1923 he married Eva Annie Smith in Stamford. and their daughter, Kathleen, was born in Stamford in 1924.

Walter died in Peterborough in December 1974.