 He was the grandson of former County Chairman and Member of Parliament Edward Walter, brother of former diplomat Neil Walter, relative of All Black Jack Walter, and cousin of All Black Alan Smith.After leaving home, he worked as a journalist in Europe, then returned to Douglas to work as the east-Taranaki stringer for the "Taranaki Daily News" while working the family sheep and beef farm.He developed a knack for historical stories and human interest tales, and in 1977 accepted the role of Honorary county historian, with the aim of producing a publication for the 1990 centennial.