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 April 11, 1917: Rotten weather snows most all day with rain and hail in the evening Reported that hole in Lapland by mine was 22×12 and by another 24×36 ft. Wrote several letters. Guess will write my little girl tomorrow. This is a strange life and I already long for Canada and above all my little girl.
