Witness to War: Thursday June 13, 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 June 13, 1918: Not on duty today so slept till 10am. Guess will start letter to my little girl Got 165-66 yesterday The old people where we are staying just got news of their son being killed in the fighting at The Somme. Both their sons are dead now the first one having been killed in 1915 Now they have to work the farm alone with their two daughters Is it any wonder they are sick of this struggle But “the path of glory leads but to the grave.”

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.