His parents were Rose Hannah and William Procter, a weaver, who had two other sons, named Edward, nicknamed Ned, and Emmot.
The family lived in Charles Street, Edward and Maurice attended Nelson Grammar School before running away to join the army at age 15.
He had lied about his age so his parents tried to secure his release from the army, but even with the support of their local MP they were unsuccessful.
Maurice married the youngest daughter, Winifred, in 1933 at Saint Mary's Church, Lister Lane, Halifax.
Maurice did, however, spend some as a motor cycle patrol officer and was involved in one notorious local criminal case, that of the Halifax Slasher in the 1930s.
When not writing, Maurice enjoyed his hobbies which were reading, gardening, playing cards, motor cycling and socialising with friends.