Kalman was born on 28 August 1918 at 189 Main Street, Glasgow, Scotland to Russia born parents Nathan and Deborah nee Zinkman. He had two older siblings, Sarah and Joseph who were born in London before the family moved briefly to Scotland.

In 1939, the family lived at 99 Lealand Road, Tottenham, London. Kalman (also known as Coleman) worked as a leather handbag maker. His brother and sister had changed their surname to Burton.

Kalman enlisted into the Royal Artillery and was killed in action during the liberation of Bologna.