Witness to War: Sunday March 25, 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:

Sunday March 25, 1917: Got up at 5am had breakfast at 5.30 detrained about 9.00am went down to dock and put down kit Went back to [n16] Barrack got a few bites to eat then came back and went aboard S/S Lapland fine boat in 3rd class

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.