"Dickie" Annand was 25 years old, and a second lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry, British Army during World War II when a deed took place on 15 May 1940, near the River Dyle, Gastuche, Belgium for which he was awarded the VC. This was the first Victoria Cross awarded to a member of the British Army in World War II. He was invested with the Victoria Cross by King George VI at Buckingham Palace on 3 September 1940.