Gilbert Lafayette Foster
Major-General G.L. Foster KStJ, CB, MD, LLD, MD (29 May 1874 – 17 May 1940) was the 6th Canadian Surgeon General.
Born in King’s County, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Gilbert L. was educated at New York Medical College, where he graduated with a Medical Degree in 1896.[1]
After graduation, Foster took up general practice in both Canning and Halifax, Nova Scotia. He also joined "the Canadian Militia as Surgeon-Lieutenant of the 68th (King’s County) Regiment."[2] From 1898 to 1900 Foster served in the Yukon Field Force "(during [the] South African Campaign)."[2] He was promoted to Captain in 1901 and Major the following year.[2]
In 1905, Foster "joined the joined the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps [known as Permanent Active Militia Medical Corps (referred to as PAMC during WWI)]",[2] and was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1907.[2]
With the outbreak of war, he was sent "overseas in 1914 as the assistant director of medical services",[1] and was promoted to Colonel the following year.
In 1917,[3] Foster was promoted to Major-General and appointed Director of Medical Services (Army) (later known as Surgeon General). He remained in the position until his retirement from the military in 1921. At which time, Foster returned to Nova Scotia, living the remainder of his life in the Annapolis Valley.[1]
His son, Major-General Harry Wickwire Foster, had a distinguished career within the army, including "[presiding] over the court martial of Canada’s top prisoner of war, SS General Kurt Meyer."
Major-General Foster died 17 May 1940 at the age of 65.
References
- 1 2 3 "Obituaries" (PDF). CMAJ 43 (1): 88. 1948. PMC 538054. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Adami, J. George (1918). War Story of the Canadian Army Medical Corps: Volume I: The First Contingent (to the Autumn of 1915). Canada: The Canadian War Records Office. p. note 89. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
- ↑ MacPhail, Sir Andrew (1925). The Medical Services (PDF). Canada: Department of National Defence. p. 199. Retrieved 6 May 2015.