Maurice was born on 12 March 1945 and was named in honour of his uncle, Maurice, an Officer in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, who died in Northern France a few days before Maurice's birth. He is the third son in a family of five boys and one girl: Michael, Christopher, himself, Rupert and the twins, Timothy and Celia.
Maurice's father, Denis, a veterinary surgeon (now retired) practiced in Taunton, Somerset with his brother Maurice before WW2. Denis continued the practice after his brother's death. Maurice's mother, Violet, was the daughter of a well known industrial chemist and inventor in the confectionery business. It is generally assumed that Maurice inherited his great love of chocolate via this lineage. His wife calls it a chocolate obsession.
Maurice first went to school at Mountlands at the age of 3 and later to Taunton School as a day boy and later a boarder. He was an excellent allround sportsman, acheiving places in various first teams: rugger, squash, fives and long distance running. He was picked as a player in the Public School sevens for Twickenham.
His early passion for the outdoors led him to become Troop Leader of Taunton School Scout Troop which had a particular interest in mountaineering. During the summer holidays he was climbing instructor in both the Lake District and North Wales for the Varsity and Public School Camps.