Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James Yates, a coal carter, born 1852 in Dadlington, Leics., and his wife Fanny (Frances) (nee Cheshire, married in the 4th quarter of 1872 in the Market Bosworth, Leics. district), born 1854 in Market Bosworth, Leics. Walter was born in the 1st quarter of 1894 in Hinckley, Leics., his siblings were, Sarah A., a dye trade worker, born 1880 in Dadlington, Leics., James, a brick yard labourer, born 1882 and Rose, born 1884, the latter two siblings were both born in Stoke Golding, Leics., Ernest was born on the 4th January 1892, Lizzie, born 1897 and Bertie, born 1899, the latter three siblings were all born in Hinckley, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at 7, Rugby Road, Hinckley, Leics. In April 1911 Walter was employed as a hosiery trade runner on and was residing in the family home at 43, Coventry Road, Hinckley, Leics., together with his father, a general carter, his mother and siblings, Ernest, a warehouseman, Elizabeth, a hosiery trade seamer and Herbert, a schoolboy. Walter’s elder brother, Ernest died of wounds received in action.