Walter Robert Scott was the son of Peter Cockburn and Margaret Scott, both of Scotland. Peter owned the saw mill at Monks End. He was a builder and joiner.

In the 1901 census Walter Robert Scott was 10 years old and still at school. By 1901 Walter was a joiner apprentice, presumably working for his father.

By the 1911 census Walter had been married for 3 years and had one daughter, Elsie, age 1, born 3 November, 1909. He was a master joiner, living in Aycliffe. There was a visitor, Edith Lane, age 20, presumably his wife's sister, as he had married Sarah Jane Lane, 26 November, 1907. He had a son, Walter Frederick Scott, born 20 January, 1914.

Walter was the brother of William Scott who was killed in 1918.

Walter Robert Scott attested 10 December, 1915. He was mobilized 4 July, 1916 and posted 1 September, 1916 to 3/244 Durham Light Infantry, 5 Reserve. Pte. 4901. Walter was 34 years, 10 months old, and was 5' 63/4" tall, He lived at Skerne House, (the Saw Mill), Aycliffe.

4 November, 1916 he embarked at Folkestone and landed at Boulogne. He was posted to 9th Bn. D.L.I. and then from that he was posted 3 February, 1917 to the Road Construction Unit at Abbeville

Walter was transferred and posted to the 314 Road Construction Company, Royal Engineers 8 August, 1917 as a Pioneer, WR/30795.

Walter was absent from parade 5.45 a.m. to 6.00 a.m and was fined 3 days pay for this.

Walter had holiday leave 18 December, 1918. March, 1919 he signed that he was not suffering from any disability at Saint-Symphorien. He was 38 years old.

Walter received his British War Medal and Victory Medal 12 June, 1922.