Witness to War: Monday Jan 14, 1918

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 Jan 14, 1918: Met Reg Worte on his way thro’ up the line Said he was close to Erle Roberts[1] when latter was killed.

[1] Roberts, Herbert Erle. Born 12 July 1896, Trois-Rivieres, PQ. Enlisted 4 July 1916, Grand Mere, PQ. KIA 26 October 1917, Menin Gate, Ypres Memorial, Belgium.

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.