Witness to War: Saturday July 28, 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:

Saturday July 28, 1917: Drill in Forenoon for a short time only nothing doing in afternoon Nothing doing in forenoon. Left at 1pm for Bully Grenay 10 km away and practiced attacking moves for drive on Lens. Got back about 10pm very hot and hungry wrote No 33 to Clare.

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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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