Mark was born on 28 October 1925 at 9 Reeds Mansions, Gossett Street in Bethnal Green, London. He was the son of Harry, a street market butcher and Bessie nee Ruffell and he had five siblings, Jack, Arthur, Simeon, Eva and Betty.

His brother Simeon was the father of the pop star Marc Bolan.

Mark, who was a cook in the Catering Corps, died at Kineton Camp, Warwickshire where he was murdered by Sgt Patrick Lyons. Mark’s story has been written by Martin Sugarman, archivist at AJEX, and the story can be found on the link below.