William Rogers was born on November 1, 1918 in Galt, Ontario, the son of Anson Percival Rogers (born in Waterloo, Ontario) and Ethel (nee St.Clair) Rogers, of Coaticook, Quebec. William had one sister, Helen Margaret, born in Galt, Ontario in 1914. Unfortunately, William would lose his sister in September 1926 when she died at the age of 12. Before enlisting in the military, William obtained his Bachelor of Science degree at Bishop University, Lennoxville, Quebec, and a Master of Arts degree at the University of Toronto. He was then with the Technical and Research Department of Imperial Oil Limited Refinery, Sarnia.
William enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in July 1941. He trained at the School of Reconnaissance, Squires Gate, England, attaining the rank of Flying Officer-Pilot. On January 22, 1944, William was a part of a crew aboard RCAF Anson aircraft #EG321 that crashed at Warton, Lancashire, England. Along with Flying Officer-Pilot William Rogers, two airmen, not Canadians were also killed. Bad weather was believed to be the cause of the crash. Twenty-five year old William Rogers is buried in Chester (Blacon) Cemetery, Cheshire, United Kingdom, Section A, Grave 946.
SOURCES: C, D, E, F, L, M, O, 2C, 2D