Julius was born on 6 May 1918 in Whitechapel, London to Polish born father Philip, a costume machinist, and London born mother Rebecca nee Fisher and he had an older sister Lilian.

In 1939, the family lived at 3 Havering Street, Stepney and Julius was working as a general clerk in foreign languages. He enlisted into the Royal Corp of Signals and was at home on leave when a V2 rocket exploded in Commercial Road, London. Twelve people were killed including Julius and his mother was injured.