Witness to War: Thursday, July 18, 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:

Thursday, July 18, 1918: Nothing doing today – at least in the forenoon. On duty at HQ in afternoon. Moving today up the line. Wrote no 114 to my little girlie and received no 184 from her My little girlie is worrying at the Village gossipers would like to run into a couple of them. Came up the line – part of way by narrow gauge Acting Coy Clerk for this trip. Are in deep dug-out – me [?] for the deep sap every time.

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.