Widower at time of marriage to Catherine. Walter had 7 children with his first wife, Martha McGavin. His daughter, Martha Aitken-Bushby emigrated to Australia in 1880, and had at least one child - George Bushby, who was the grandfather of Kate who emailed this information.

Walter Aitken won some prizes in the Killearn Flower Show in 1860 – for growing the “Six Best Spring Sown Onions” and his occupation status became a Grocer and one of the censuses showed Catherine as a Storekeeper.