Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Walton, a canal labourer, born 1860 in Cossington, Leics., and his wife Emily Walton (nee Needham, married in the 4th quarter of 1895 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leics. district), born 1864 in Rothley, Leics. Bernard Roger was born on the 22nd May 1897 in Cossington, Leics., in March 1901 he was residing at Navigation House, Cossington, Leics., this being the family home of his widowed maternal grandfather, Samuel Needham, a canal labourer, born 1831 in Rothley, Leics. In April 1911 Bernard was employed working for a market gardener, and was residing in the family home of his widowed maternal grandfather, Samuel Needham at Navigation Cottage, Cossington, Leics., together with his father, a canal labourer and his mother. Bernard enlisted into the Royal Navy for the duration of hostilities on the 14th December 1915, and was allocated the service number K/29863 in Portsmouth, Hants. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4¾ inches in height and had a chest measurement of 39½ inches, his hair colour was brown and he had brown eyes, his complexion was described as fresh, it was noted that he had two scars on the lower left, and a scar on the front of his chest, he gave his trade or calling as motor driver. His record of service began when he joined HMS Victory II as a Stoker 2nd Class on the 14/12/15 – 31/3/16, when he died from meningitis in the Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Family headstone in Cossington churchyard.
Information from S Kallaste, 12/04/23