Hi Ray ,

I cannot find birth either. Looked at other ways to trace back.

Did he marry Jane Hughes at Toxteth Park , Dec Qtr 1886 , found 4 children in Liverpool

1889 Florence
1895 Walter
1900 May
1902 Albert Edward.

If walter is first son born , I would expect John Walter's father to be Walter.

I also found on IOM census 1881 Walter Crowe , boarder at 29 Bigwell St , Onchan, born Malew. He also appears to be in Liverpool in 1911 aged 46 Born IOM , therefore born around 1865 , is he brother , can't find his birth either. Cant find a marriage on the IOM for possible father prior to 1863 , cannot find a death for suspect father Walter on the IOM.
Was Jane Hughes from the IOM , there are two suspects on 1871 IOM census.
Cheers
David Dwyer