Max (Marks) was born on 26 September 1914 in Bethnal Green, London to Russian born parents Nathan and Martha nee Mizells and he had three older sisters, Annie, Sylvia and Bertha. In 1921, the family were living at 17 Clifton Buildings, Bethnal Green and Nathan is listed as an out of work furriers nailer. After school, Max trained as a carpenter and in 1939 he was living at 23 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury in Dorset.

It is not known when Max enlisted or details of his service. His death certificate states that he was in the Royal Army Medical Corps attached to 32nd Casualty Clearing Station. Max’s body was found in Mytchett Lake, Frimley in Surrey near to where he was based. His cause of death was 1a Drowning and the post mortem concluded that it was suicide whilst the balance of his mind was disturbed.