William Annan was the son of Fredrick Andrew John Annan and of Annie Isabell Annan (nee MacRae), of Napier, New Zealand.

At the time of his death Annan was flying in Bomber Command in position of Rear Gunner.

An Obituary, publication unknown, found in Finn Scrapbook No. 100 and held in the Auckland War Memorial Museum Library, says: " 'Sergeant from Napier - Footballer and Pianist.' . Advice that their son, Sergeant William Donald Francis Annan, aged 20, is reported missing, presumed killed, has been received by Mr and Mrs F.J Annan, of Wallace St, Herne Bay, and after the Napier earthquake in 1931 was one of the schoolchildren evacuated to Auckland, where for a time he attended the Curran Street School.

After matriculating at Napier boys' High School, Sergeant Annan studied at Victoria University College and joined the staff of the Commissioner of Taxes. On the outbreak of war he was accepted for the Royal Air force, and having qualified as an air gunner left New Zealand last February. Sergeant Annan received his promotion after active service over enemy territory, taking part in numerous engagements following the German advance into Belgium and Holland.

Sergeant Annan was a senior Soccer player in Napier and Wellington, and was also an accomplished pianist." AWMM