Maurice was born on 20 February 1914 in Dublin, Ireland to Polish born parents Marks (Marcus) and Eva nee Silverstone and he had three sisters and one brother. Marks worked as a draper in Dublin and became a naturalised British citizen in 1903. He married Eva in Liverpool in 1905 and in 1911 the family lived at 28 Aungier St in Dublin before moving to 83 Ranelagh Road from where Maurice attended St Peters school. Maurice travelled to South Africa for work and resigned his job to enlist in the RAF. Maurice’s brother Robert served in the Royal Army Medical Corps.

Maurice had been a Mustang pilot in 168 Squadron but he was killed flying in Auster MT336. His aircraft stalled after take off and spun into the ground at Chigwell in Essex. Maurice’s body was taken to Ireland where he was buried next to his father in Dolphins Barn Jewish Cemetery.