Percival William Walters was born in Rupanyup, Victoria, was single and a land salesman living at 1304 Dana Street, Ballarat, Victoria when he enlisted with the 14th Battalion, A Company on 8 September 1914 at the age of 28. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A38 Ulysses on 22 December 1914. He suffered a bout of influenza in August 1915 whilst in Malta before transferring to England. However, he would return home for a medical discharge on 18 October 1917 for chronic rheumatism.

He had two brothers who also served: Driver Theophilus Thomas Walters, Divisional Ammunition Column, returned to Australia, 29 August 1915 (Tree No. 534) and Lionel Stanley Walters, 2nd Machine gun Bn, returned to Australia, 18 October 1917 (Tree No. 2312)
Tree No. 244