William Duncan was the son of William and Catherine Duncan of Dundee. He volunteered for the airborne forces from The 2nd Highland Division. He was successfully parachute jump trained at RAF Ringway on Course 28. This course ran between 20 and 28 September 1942. He became a member of D Coy, 5th Parachute Battalion. 

It is believed he was killed in an accident on 5 March 1945. He was just 21 years old. William was laid to rest at The Rome War Cemetery in plot 11.D.8