A French polisher as a teenager, Walter McKeer joined the army at 19 and was soon playing for the Medical Corps in the Hampshire League. Joining Southampton as an amateur in 1904, he never played for them at any level and duly resumed his career in the army. He re-signed for the Saints in 1910, now as a pro. He established himself in the Reserves, but had a few run-outs in the Southern League side, at left-half or inside-left. Held back by injuries and a couple of weak performances, he was freed in May 1911. Reinstated as an amateur in May 1913, Walter remained with the army, but he was discharged on health grounds in August 1914, even as the First World War began. In 1939 he registered as “a licensed victualler” in Aldershot.