Walter was the son of James and Elizabeth Dent of Station St, Keswick, ; He originally enlisted in 1901 at Carlisle Castle; later went on the Reserve, and was recalled to the colours in August 1914 at which time he was a postman at Windermere. The Btn landed in Zeebrugge on 6th Oct 1914. They moved down to billets in Sailly sur Lys, and were entrenched near Cordonnerie Farm where Walter was killed 23 Jan 1915. He left a wife Mary Elizabeth (Airey) and 6 children under 9 of 3, Stanley Terrace, Birch St., Windermere.
Walters brother Thomas William Dent also fell, Pte 203305, 2/4 Loyal North Lancs. 'Tommy' to his family; he enlisted at Colne, Lancs in October 1916. Went into trenches for the first time on 14th February 1917 at Sailly sur Lys. On 11th March he was reported "Missing - believed prisoner." This detail is later struck through on his casualty record (PRO Kew). He is buried at Pont du Hem Military Cemetery, La Gourge, west of Sailly. Tommy left a wife Mary (Conlin) and 5 children.