Walter was one of eight children born to John and Jane Swallow. He was also one of several siblings who emigrated to New York during the early part of the 20th Century.

He first appears in the 1881 census where he is listed as being six months old and living at The Ford. By the 1891 census he had moved with his family to Chapel Lane in Little Hadham and again to Ford Hill by 1901 by which time he was working as a Railway Porter.

In 1907 he, along with his wife Ellen (no details of marriage) set sail from Liverpool to Ellis Island in New York. They sailed on the Arabic whose manifest has Walter's occupation as a Coachman and their destination as Brooklyn (the exact street address is difficult to read). His sponsor was his elder brother John. The ship's log also describes Walter as being 5' 8" tall, of fair complexion, with brown hair and brown eyes.   

More details regarding Walter's siblings emigration to New York as well as copies of relevant ship's manifests can be found by clicking here.