While commanding the ‘Carcass’, 1701–02, Walton went to the West Indies with a squadron under Vice-Admiral John Benbow, who in March 1702 appointed him to the ‘Ruby’. She was one of the squadron with Benbow in the actions with Admiral Jean-Baptiste Du Casse, 19–24 August 1702, off Cape Santa Marta (Columbia), when Walton was the only captain who loyally supported his admiral. In 1718 he played a notable part in Sir George Byng’s action off Cape Passaro, 31 July 1718.

The portrait is signed lower left ‘B. Dandridge Pinx.’, and was probably painted 1734–39. Dandridge had taken over Kneller’s old studio in 1731.