Witness to War: Wednesday Nov 21, 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:

Wednesday Nov 21, 1917: Not much doing still raining – the trenches are going to be very bad – got a cushion top and a small handkerchief for Lena, Lydia, Clare and Alice – Feeling fine – Hope I get some mail [?] the name of this place is Alberta Camp – in Souchez Valley and its some [?] tin huts.

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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.