Witness to War: Sunday Apr 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:

Sunday Apr 14, 1918: Got up at 4.30 – breakfast 5.00. Fixed up the officers and now I am dreaming of my own little sweetheart who is longing for me as I long for her. At times it seems as though this war will never end and ones heart almost fails. Wrote no 92 to Clare.

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.