David was born on 10 January 1902 in Stepney, London to Romanian parents Abraham and Dora nee Maligson. David was the eldest of four boys, Maurice, Harry and Joseph and their father Abraham worked as a cabinet maker. By 1921, the family had moved to Hull, and in the census David, aged 19, was listed as head of the family and working as a furniture dealer.

In October 1929, David married Jane Cohen and their first daughter Muriel was born in 1930, followed by Doreen in 1936. In 1939, the family were living at 18 Springfield Road, Kingston upon Hull and David is listed as working as a commercial traveller for a wholesale chemist and an ARP Warden. David was also the Honorable Secretary at the Hull Old Hebrew Congregation.

David was killed during the Battle of Normandy and is buried in Bayeux War Cemetery.