Witness to War: Friday August 24, 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:

Friday August 24, 1917: Seven months ago today I married the best little girl in the world and God knows how I long to go back to her. Will this war ever end. Am still in this convalescent camp and it is lonesome I know no one – a man is a mere atom here and nobody cares wonder how long I will stay. Wrote no 41 to my little girl.

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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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