2 days into training at HMS Collingwood the Bks was dive bombed and Walter received a back injury which put him in RN(H) Haslar. He was back squadded and completed his training but his prowess at swimming had come to one of his officer?s attention and he was sent to HMS Vernon to train as a shallow water diver. On completion he was posted to Combined Ops to carry out Commando training at Achnacarry and HMS Armadillo. He then joined the Landing Craft Obstruction Clearance Unit (LCOCU) which was 25 strong, took part in D-Day, suffered a collapsed lung, was treated by the military, and medically discharged after 3 years service.