Private Raymond Duval, MM, was a soldier of the 14th Battalion (Royal Montreal Regiment) CEF who served overseas during the last two years of the First World War. He participated in some of the fiercest fighting seen by Canadians during the war and was decorated for bravery at Passchendaele. Determined to preserve his memories of the First World War, he maintained a daily record of his experiences. Here is what he wrote precisely 100 years ago today:
Wednesday August 22, 1917: Went on parade and did a squad drill and short route march went for bath in afternoon Met ex Sgt McDonald of the 14th who is here This is pretty rotten as I have no money Wrote No 40 to my little girl wonder if she has heard I was hit Hope she does not worry. This is an immense camp with men from all branches of the British Army also some Americans. The Yanks played the Can. vets and beat them in a game of Base Ball, but I didn’t go and see the game.
Search the glossary here for definitions
