Biographical notes:
Occupation: Fruiterers Errand Boy (1901); Telegraphist (1911); Petty Officer telegraphist (1921).
Addresses: At baptism (1889) & 1891 census - 42 Thorpedale Road, Islington, LON; At 1901 census - 17 Dean Street, Scarborough, YKS; At 1911 census - On board RN ship Scylla, Kingston Harbour, Jamaica, West Indies; At 1921 census - 24 West Street, Scarborough, YKS.
Religion: Church of England (1911).
He appears to have overstated his age by one year when he enlisted in the Royal Navy for 12 years from 22 Jan 1906; his birth date was entered as 22 Jan 1888. He had previously served as a Boy 2nd Class from 17 Nov 1903 and as a Boy 1st Class from 16 Jan 1904. He was made OD (ordinary seaman) from 22 Jan 1906 and promoted to AB (able seaman) from 29 Nov 1906. On 18 Nov 1908 he was rated as a Telegraphist and he was promoted to Leading Telegraphist on 6 Dec 1913. He passed educationally for Petty Officer on 7 Mar 1911 but had to wait until 30 Apr 1915 before being promoted to the rank of Petty Officer Telegraphist. His last seagoing draft was to HMS Ark Royal from 11 Mar 1918 to 22 Nov 1920. He was paid off from HMS Pembroke on 27 March 1923. During the last five years of his service PO Tel Walter William Charles Oram was consistently rated as VG, Superior for character and conduct. Over tweny years of service his record was unblemished. He may have served as a Reservist from 28 Sep 1928 until 1 Oct 1938, but the record of service is not clear in relation to that period; it may have been "to complete time for pension".
Walter seems to have closely followed his older brother John A O Downs, but, for whatever reason, he did not complete his 22 years as an adult and perhaps forfeited the chance to become a CPO.
Reference documents:
1889 birth registration index record.
1889 baptism record.
1891 census return (John Downs).
1901 census return (John Downs).
1911 census return.
1921 census return (Harriet Downs).
1923 marriage registration index record.
1955 death registration index record.
Naval service record.