Witness to War: Saturday, Mar 22, 1919

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, Mar 22, 1919: Got up 9am, had breakfast and then went to Records Office and got medal. Saw guards parade, then went to Paddington station and took train to Weymouth and boarded 3/5 Ibex for Jersey at 10pm and sailed at midnight (2 years since I left Montreal).

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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.