Walter Coward was the son of Mary and Dyson Coward and the brother of William Dyson Coward.

The family were originally from Barrow-in-Furness but had moved to Ulverston and were living at 10 Bridge Street.

Walter was 4 years younger than his brother William and he had been an errand boy before being recruited into the Army Cyclist Corps.

Walter later transferred to the 11th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment. A unit transfer card is the only military record that could be found for Walter.

Walter was originally recorded as his brother William's next of kin on William's attestation documents, but this had been changed to their father Dyson Coward.