Hi Mary
Only just found your question. No idea how he got to SA. Here are the facts that I have.
Walter Walker Tait (#30.6.2) emigrated to the USA in 1911. He settled in Ohio and was in Cleveland in 1917 around which time he married Pearl Lovelace.
1920 Census : Aged 36 and lodging at 179 Franklin Avenue, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio. He was married and a factory machinist.
Son James Lovelace Tait (#30.6.2.1) born 11 July 1923. He married Joan Mary Krantz. Daughter Melanie Joan Tait born 16 January 1952 in Ohio. She married Harvey E Clem (b 1946) on 23 June 1973 in Medina, Ohio. Son David Alan Tait born 8 June 1954 in Ohio. James (#30.6.2.1) died 14 July 2014 in Rockingham, Virginia.
1930 Census : Strongsville, Ohio. Walter W (46 born Scotland), Pearl (42 born Kentucky) and son James L (6 born Ohio). He was a garage mechanic.
Pearl died 1 July 1934.
Walter (#30.6.2) died 1957.
Regards
Alan Kennedy