Walter lived in Newark, Nottinghamshire and when he first enlisted with The Sherwood Foresters, he was assigned the army number 668. On October 12th, 1887, he was promoted to the rank Corporal. After this, Walter served in the Sikkim Expedition of 1888.  

In February 1890 he was promoted once again, this time to Sergeant. In August of the same year, Walter was allowed to extend his service to complete 21 years with the Colours. 

He then served in the Tirah Campaign from 1897-98. One year later, on March 28th, 1899, he obtained his 1st Class Education Certificate. In the November-December of 1899, Walter was awarded ‘Good Conduct’ pay.  

Later, Walter returned to the Colours and served with the regiment in the Great War of 1914-1918, as part of the 17th Battalion. The 17th was raised at Nottingham under the sponsorship of the Duke of Portland in June 1915. They were given the nickname “Welbeck Rangers” in honour of their sponsor, as the Duke’s family home was at Welbeck, near Worksop.  

The 17th Battalion landed in France in 1916 and saw action during their time on the Somme and in the Ypres Salient (1916-7) including at the third battle of Ypres. They returned to the Somme in 1918 and in the February, drafts of officers and men were sent to other Battalions of the Regiment as reinforcements, which led to the disbandment of the “Welbeck rangers”. 

Walter would also serve in the Second World War, as a Home Guard. 

He sadly passed away in March 1951.