Basic Biographical Details

Name: William Robertson Annan
Designation:  
Born: 26 September 1912
Died: 5 May 1944
Bio Notes: William Robertson Annan was born in Edinburgh on 26 September 1912, the son of John Laing Annan, medical practitioner, and his wife, Margaret Scotland Hunter. He commenced his training with practical experience in the firm of John Lownie & Sons, building contractors, from September 1929 to September 1932. The following month he began to attend classes at the School of Architecture, Edinburgh, passing his certificate examination in June 1935. In July that year he secured a position in the office of Wimperis, Simpson & Guthrie in London, and in October 1936 resumed his studies at the School of Architecture in Edinburgh, obtaining his diploma in June 1938. During the summer of the previous year he had sought further experience in the office of Rowand Anderson, Paul & Partners, working on the ICI and Scottish Pavilions for the Glasgow Empire Exhibition, and in September had spent three weeks in Northern Italy and one week in Paris. He spent a further three weeks studying town planning in England and one week in France in July 1938.

He was admitted ARIBA on 3 April 1939, his proposers being James Macgregor, William Begg Simpson and Frank Charles Mears. His nomination papers give a business address of Edinburgh College of Art.

Annan was reported missing, presumed killed in action, on 5 May 1944 in Burma where he was serving with the Royal Engineers. He had reached the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, but had temporary promotion to Captain.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 115, Lauder Road, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate1939 *  

* earliest date known from documented sources.


Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 3John Lownie & SonsSeptember 1929September 1932Apprentice 
Item 2 of 3Wimperis, Simpson & GuthrieJuly 1935September 1936Assistant 
Item 3 of 3Rowand Anderson, Paul & PartnersJuly 1937August 1937Assistant 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3James Macgregor3 April 1939for Associateship
Item 2 of 3(Sir) Frank Charles Mears3 April 1939for Associateship
Item 3 of 3William Begg Simpson3 April 1939for Associateship

Buildings and Designs

This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 2July 1937Glasgow Empire Exhibition, ICI pavilionBellahouston GlasgowScotlandAs assistant to Rowand Anderson, Paul & Partners
Item 2 of 2July 1937Glasgow Empire Exhibition, Scottish PavilionBellahouston GlasgowScotlandAs assistant to Rowand Anderson, Paul & Partners

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Glendinning, Miles1997Rebuilding Scotland: The Postwar Vision, 1945-75  Tuckwell Press Ltdp1 Night view of the Glasgow Empire Exhibtion - from brochure. ICI Pavilion

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2H M Register HouseDeath Register  
Item 2 of 2RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers A no7156 (combined box 175)