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:
Thursday March 22, 1917: Left Montreal via GTR for Halifax. Large crowd lining stretch from Barracks to Depot. Saw John and Philip on way down also Bill Linehan. Saw Clare for a little while in the afternoon which made me feel a whole lot better. Entrained at 10.45 and left about 11.pm had a pretty good sleep bunked with Spider Campbell.
