Jack Cohen was born in 1928 in NYC to British parents but grew up in Liverpool. Along with other children he was evacuated to North Wales for the duration of the war. He joined the British Merchant Marines to sail to New York City at the age of 18 after losing both parents within the same year. He worked in darkrooms and as an engineer until he was drafted to fight in the Korean War from 1952-1953. Before leaving for entering service, he received a used Leica from his uncle which he used throughout his tour of duty. After returning from war, he met and married in 1954 and became an optical mechanical and medical device engineer and inventor.
