Alexander was born on 13 January 1920 in Edmonton, Middlesex to Isaac, a toy importer, and Ada nee Burdon and he was an only child. Alexander worked as a clerk on the Stock Exchange and in 1939, the family were living at 14 Arnos Grove, Southgate in London. The record shows that by 1939 Alexander had enlisted into the Royal Navy and was listed as an ordinary signaller in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Ada died on 29 December 1944 at the London Hospital, seven months before Alexander and Isaac died on 24 March 1948 at the Wood Green and Southgate General hospital.

Alexander died at the Royal Masonic hospital on 10 July 1945 and his death certificate states his cause of death was aleukemic leukemia.