Witness to War: Sunday April 2, 1917

Witness to War: Sunday April 2, 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:

Monday April 2, 1917: Still a high wind blowing not much doing woke up with a splitting headache didn’t feel good all day – felt very lonely for my little girl but hadn’t the energy to write her got to bed pretty early was on duty from 12 to 4am

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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