He was born in London, the son of Thomas Forbes Gerrard Walmisley (1783–1866), a well-known organist and composer of church music and glees.

Mozart’s former pupil Thomas Attwood was his godfather, and the boy was educated in music under their tuition.

[1] He was simultaneously the organist for the Choir of St John's College, Cambridge.

[1] Walmisley died in 1856 and is buried in the churchyard of St Andrew's Church, Fairlight, East Sussex.

Walmisley is remembered chiefly for his Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in D minor, which hold a significant place in the Anglican choral repertoire.