Gilbert Lafayette Foster was born in Nova Scotia, on 29 May 1874 and educated at New York Medical College, where he graduated with a Medical Degree in 1896.
After graduation, he took up general practice in Nova Scotia and joined the Canadian Militia as Surgeon-Lieutenant. From 1898 to 1900 Foster served in the South African Campaign, being promoted to Captain in 1901 and Major the following year. In 1905, Foster joined the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps and was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel two years later.
Shortly after the start of World War I, Foster was sent overseas as the Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services for the first Canadian Contingent. He accompanied the 1st Canadian Division to France in February 1915 and, later that year was elevated to the new post of Deputy Director Medical Services (Canadian Corps). In February 1917 he was promoted to Director Medical Services Canadians and transferred to Canadian HQ in London.
Remaining overseas until late 1919, Major-General Foster oversaw the repatriation of thousands of Canadian casualties who remained under medical care following the Armistice, the closure of Canadian hospitals in the U.K. and the demobilization of the C.E.F. medical service. He also helped plan the re-organization of the post-war Canadian Army Medical Corps, before retiring in December 1920. Upon leaving the military, Foster returned to Nova Scotia, where he lived until his death on 17 May 1940, at the age of 65.
