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:
Monday July 9, 1917: Went on ration party to front last night nothing exciting happened this trip. Rec’d letter from Dad and W. Colts but nothing yet from Clare hope I get one tonight. Spent the afternoon with MacDonald and Charlie Charlton and had a talk with them of old times. How we all long to go home that is the cry that goes up from here.
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