He was born in early 1898 at 1 Doughty Street, Stamford. His father James (agricultural engineer) and mother Sarah lived in Stanley Street when they were first married where four children were born. Two died in infancy leaving Alfred and Percy. The family moved to Doughty Street before Walter, the fifth child, was born. Two further children, Herbert and Nellie, were born there. Walter was still at school in 1911.

When war was declared in 1914 Walter did not enlist for military service. He had very poor sight and always wore glasses so it was unlikely that he would pass as fit to serve. Nevertheless by 1918 the army needed every available man and Walter was conscripted, aged 20. He was examined at Lincoln on 28 June 1918 and classified as A1 with brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion. His ‘poor sight’ was noted and although he served for two years in the Lincolnshire Regiment as Private 62523 he was never posted abroad. He was finally demobilised on 15 March 1920 with no disability arising from service so had no medals or pension.

He came home to Stamford and in the summer of 1923 he married Rosa Haynes. She was born in Grantham in 1898 but moved with her parents to 34 Ryhall Road, Stamford in 1905. The couple lived in Stamford and Walter’s death was registered there in September 1963.