Witness to War: Tuesday Oct 23, 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 Oct 23, 1917: Came to another village and are billeted in a huge farmhouse This is the Flemish country and a quaint old house it is. There is a very pretty maid here who has a broken leg and she sits all day by the huge fireplace. Seems like a picture out of some fairy book.

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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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