May 14, 1898

Born at London England 

Ø      David George Polster signed 3 sets of Attestation papers giving 3 different years for his birth.  1898 has been confirmed by viewing the 1911 Census 

Jul 6, 1915

Attested into the 58^th Battalion at the Niagara Camp, Ontario as David George Polster 

Ø      Number 452492

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs Fannie Polster (mother) of 236 Wilton Ave., Toronto Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation Tailor

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Jewish

o       Note that his birth date is given here as May 14, 1897

Aug 5, 1915

SOS as “Undesirable” 

Note:  I suspect this was because he was found to be underage.

Dec 14, 1915

Attested into the 120^th Battalion at Hamilton Ontario as David George Foster 

Ø      Number 757308

Ø      Next of kin given as George Foster (father) of 236 Wilton St., Toronto Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Tailor Apprentice

Ø      Previous military experience given as 2 years 48^th Highlanders and 6 months Queen’s Own Rifles

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

o       Note that his birth date is given here as May 14, 1896

o       The papers were signed by the Commanding Officer on January 3, 1916 

There is nothing in the file to indicate why or when he left the 120^th Battalion.  Again, I suspect it is because he was discovered to be underage

Aug 22, 1916

Attested into the 241^st Battalion at Windsor Ontario as David George Foster 

Ø      Number 1045188

Ø      Next of kin given as George Foster (father) of 236 Wilton Ave., Toronto Ontario

o       Later changed to 351 Lippincott St., Toronto Ontario

o       Later changed to 7 Victoria St., Brantford Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Tailor

Ø      Previous military experience given as 4 years in 2^nd Battalion, Queen’s Own Rifles

Ø      Religion given as Jewish

o       Note that his birth date is given here as May 14, 1898

o       His current address was given as 139 Sixth St., Detroit Mich., USA

Apr 28, 1917

Embarked the SS Olympic at Halifax Nova Scotia for England

May 7, 1917

Disembarked at Liverpool England 

TOS (Taken On Strength) the 5^th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling Camp

Jun 6, 1917

SOS 5^th Reserve Battalion on transfer to 164^th Battalion at Witley

Sep 8, 1917

Name on records changed to David George Polster

Oct 23, 1917

Will made out leaving everything to his mother, Mrs Fannie Polster of 236 Wilton Ave., Toronto Ontario

Mar 9, 1918

Attached to 125^th Battalion at Witley

Mar 28, 1918

Ceases to be attached to 125^th Battalion

Mar 29, 1918

SOS 164^th Battalion on posting to 21^st Battalion

Mar 30, 1918

TOS 21^st Battalion on arrival at 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot)

Apr 3, 1918

Left CIBD for CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp)

Apr 10, 1918

Left CCRC to join unit

Apr 12, 1918

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the field and assigned to No 16 Platoon

May 5, 1918

Sentenced to 7 days FP No 1 (Field Punishment No 1) for absent from 8.30 pm parade 

Ø      It should be noted that the battalion was in the front line trenches on this date

Jul 30, 1918

Admitted to No 5 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) with boils on left shoulder

Aug 3, 1918

Transferred to No 3 “AT”

Aug 4, 1918

Transferred to No 2 Canadian Hospital at Le Treport

Aug 10, 1918

Transferred to No 3 Convalescent Hospital at Le Treport

Aug 22, 1918

Discharged to base

Aug 23, 1918

Arrived at CIBD

Aug 31, 1918

Admitted to No 7 Canadian General Hospital at Etaples with Gastro Enteritis

Sep 4, 1918

Transferred to No 6 Convalescent Hospital

Sep 6, 1918

Transferred to No 12 Convalescent Depot at Aubergue

Sep 23, 1918

Discharged to No 5 Red Cross Camp

Sep 26, 1918

Arrived at No 2 CIBD

Oct 2, 1918

Arrived at CCRC

Oct 3, 1918

Left to join unit

Oct 4, 1918

Rejoined 21^st Battalion in the field

Oct 10, 1918

Received a shrapnel wound to lower lip and admitted to No 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) and transferred to the Casualty Clearing Station

The above refers to Pte WE Campbell

Oct 11, 1918

Transferred to No 6 CFA then discharged

Oct 22, 1918

Rejoined the battalion in the field

Nov 15, 1918

Left for 2^nd Division Employment Company

Nov 26, 1918

Admitted to No 7 Canadian General Hospital with boils and PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin)  (which was later called Trench Fever) 

Classified “B1”

Dec 3, 1918

Transferred to No 3 Employment Base Depot

Dec 14, 1918

SOS 21^st Battalion and posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot)

Dec 17, 1918

Transferred to England and attached to the EORD Depot Company at Witley

Jan 24, 1919

SOS EORD and TOS MD 2 Wing at Rhyl

Feb 20, 1919

Embarked the SS Lapland for Canada

Mar 1, 1919

Disembarked in Canada

Apr 3, 1919

Discharged from the army at No District Depot in Toronto as Medically Unfit

Jun 23, 1923

Address noted as c/o Mrs Hough, 121 Riley St, East Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Jun 30, 1923

British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to his address in Australia

Sep 26, 1930

Address noted as 59 Augusta St., Toronto Ontario

Oct 26, 1949

Address noted as 502 Parliament St., Toronto Ontario

Nov 8, 1949

Medals were resent to his address at 502 Parliament St., Toronto Ontario