Bernard was born on 29 March 1908 in Bristol, Gloucestershire to Poland born father Aaron, a boot manufacturer and exporter, and Julia nee Abrahams, and he had two older sisters, Gladys and Trixie.

Bernard worked as a merchant for his father’s company and regularly travelled to South Africa for business. His mother Julia died in St James, near Capetown, South Africa in 1942.

Bernard married Peggy (Margaret) Joseph in 1941 in Marylebone, London.

Bernard was killed in action.