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 June 13, 1917: Shooting at Range but did not do good – need rifle and acted bad on rapid fire. About ¾ time was doing Batt[ery] duty which was very noisy got up at 3.30 am fell in at 4.00 which made it a very long day and did not get any lunch so did not feel any too good at night. Legs badly burnt and sore from sun. Heres Love to the Little Girl. This is a hard life and hope it ends pretty soon.
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