He was baptised in Bunbury on 15/10/1871. Walter was the son of Joseph and Eliza. He married in 1893 to Emma Elliott. Emma was the daughter of Thomas of Busselton and Hannah. He worked as a brickmaker and building contractor in Bunbury. He also worked as a horse dealer. He was a member of the Local Town Council in 1908. He was educated at the government school in Bunbury.