Walter Hammerton was born into a family connected with Twickenham and the river from early in the 17^th century and still represented in the area today. In 1900 he won the sculling coat and badge at the Kingston Regatta. An angler and rugger player, he became a Freeman of the Waterman’s and Lighterman’s Company

In 1901 Marble Hill House and Park were bought for public use and recreation. In 1908 Hammerton established a business for hiring out boats from a floating boathouse opposite the house. Being asked to carry people across the river at this convenient point, in 1909 he started a ferry, charging 1d for each trip. This brought him into conflict with Lord Dysart, owner of the nearby ferry run by William Champion.