Witness to War: Saturday July 21, 1917

Witness to War: Saturday July 21, 1917

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:

Saturday July 21, 1917: Come off guard at 230pm when RA Waite and Ernie Roberts[1] #10 MGCo [Machine Gun Company] of 4th Div came over to see me Rea spent afternoon and part of the evening with me. Went out with him and Corp Driscoll and had a real supper. Beefsteak fried tomatoes, Eggs & coffee

[1] Roberts, Ernest Frederick. Born 21 June 1898, Grand Mere, PQ. Enlisted 10 August 1916, Grand Mere, PQ.

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The RMR Foundation thanks Natalie Dyck for generously sharing her publication of “The Diary and Memoir of Private Raymond Duval” in order for us to be able to share his story with you 100 years on. You can learn more about Private Duval here.

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