Witness to War: Tuesday August 28, 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:

Tuesday August 28, 1917: No parades. Heavy gale all night which blew down over half the marquees in the Camp. In afternoon came over with a bunch of all sorts of soldiers to Base Detail but only stayed there about an hour when we were sent to No 59 Gen’l Hospital had supper and went to bed.

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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.

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