Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Mark Putman, a shoe maker, born 1865 in Dagnall, Buckinghamshire and his wife Hannah Jemima Putman (nee Hunt, formerly Bowler, married in the 1st quarter of 1891 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district)), a shoe trade machinist, born 1856 in Anstey, Leicestershire. Walter Putman was born on the 6th June 1891 in Anstey, his siblings were, Nellie, born 1894 and Hannah, born 1895, the latter two children were both born in Anstey, also residing in the family home were his half blood siblings, Thomas James Bowler, a shoe maker, born 1882, Sarah Elizabeth Bowler, a shoe trade machinist, born 1883 and Jacob Bowler, a shoe maker, born 1885, the latter three half blood siblings were all born in Rothley Plain, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at Edward Street, Anstey. In the 1st quarter of 1911 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district, Walter’s father died aged 46. In April 1911 Walter was absent from the family home at Bradgate Road, Anstey, residing there was his widowed mother and siblings, Nellie, a shoe trade machinist and Hannah, a shoe trade machinist, also residing in the family home was his half blood brother, Thomas, a shoe trade riveter. His sister Hannah married Walter W. Bonner, in the 3rd quarter of 1915 in Anstey, they resided at 61, Forest Gate, Anstey.
His enlistment records show that he gave his sister, Miss N. Putman of 39, Prospect Terrace, Dominion Road, Auckland, New Zealand as his next of kin. He gave his trade or calling as butcher. He embarked on the 1st April 1916 from Wellington, New Zealand aboard either HMNZT 49 “Maunganui” or HMNZT 50 “Tahiti” bound for Suez, Egypt with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 5th Reinforcements 2nd Battalion, “F” Company. Walter’s employer was Mr. W. Foster, Butcher of Rongotea, North Island, New Zealand. His sister Nellie Putman, of 39, Prospect Terrace off Dominion Road, Auckland, after marrying J. Willett, later moved to Wellington, New Zealand.