Witness to War: Wednesday June 6, 1917

Witness to War: Wednesday June 6, 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:

Wednesday June 6, 1917: Heavy bombardment all night and all day and again numerous aerofights but these are getting so common now that we hardly bend our necks to look up Wrote my Little Girl today No20 Moved to another Billet today but did not like it very well so managed to hire a smart room in the house and we have the use of the dining room. With me are Tack Church Cooper Charleston and to use army slang we are jake. So goes the time but its mighty long

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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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