Maurice joined the Navy in 1946 and trained as an air mechanic. He was assigned to HMS Ocean, an aircraft carrier, in 1951. In 1952 they sailed to the Middle East to reinforce the British presence in Egypt after the fall of King Farouk. He and several other crewmen spent time at an RAF airfield in the desert during the unrest when some British troops were attacked.

After this they sailed to Malta to complete pilot training and then proceeded to Korea to join the British forces fighting in the Korean War, arriving in early 1953. The ship was equipped with the Hawker Sea Fury and the Fairey Firefly. They were stationed off the east coast of Korea, out of range of enemy mine laying boats. From here the aircraft would support Allied ground troops, the Furies sometimes escorting the Fireflies as these carried heavier bombs to attack targets like bridges. Their ship travelled to Japanese ports such as Sasebo or Kure to refuel and rearm and during these times he was able to take shore leave. During operations the aircraft were in constant use during the day and at night Maurice and his comrades worked on the aircraft, preparing them for operation the next day.

After the armistice he returned on the troopship HMT Dunera, which was also carrying POWs who had been held by North Korea. Many were traumatised and some had been tortured by their captors. At least two of them committed suicide on the trip home.