Walton (1917-1972) was born into a musical family. His grandfather was a cellist with the Hallé Orchestra under the eponymous founder Charles Hallé, and his father played in the Queen's Hall Orchestra. He was taught by George Anderson, who was the principal clarinetist at the founding of the London Symphony Orchestra under Hans Richter in 1904. Walton later studied at the Royal College of Music.
In 1937, shortly before his 20th birthday, he was appointed principal clarinetist of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, joining his father, uncle, and brother as members of that orchestra. He served as principal clarinetist of the Philharmonia from 1953 to 1966, when Walter Legge left the orchestra in 1964. Walton tried unsuccessfully to persuade Legge to continue with the orchestra, and after his departure, Walton was the principal influence in establishing the Philharmonia (now renamed the New Philharmonia Orchestra) as a self-governing body and he served as its first chairman.

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