Andrew Garster
Personal History
When Andrew Garster enlisted in the army on January 3, 1916 he gave his occupation as sailor. He came by his maritime heritage honestly, originally hailing from the Shetland Islands. He had emigrated to Toronto several years before, but was based in Port Dalhousie for a few years before the outbreak of the war.
He must have trained at nearby Niagara on the Lake, for the next major event in his life was his marriage to Robina Reilly on April 25, 1916. She was a Port Dalhousie girl who had three brothers who also enlisted for overseas service; Robert, John and George.
A little over two months later he embarked from Halifax on the 8th of July, arriving in Liverpool on the 25th. After some training in England, he was transferred to the 58th Battalion on the 7th of September at Otterpool and arrived in France the following day. The battle of the Somme was in full swing by then and he was engaged there until he was killed in action at the battle for Regina Trench on October 8th, 1916. His is a short sad story.
On a brighter note, Private John Bain McKenzie, another soldier from Port ,who returned home from the war, married Garster's widow, Robina at Star of the Sea church on June 8, 1923. All of her brothers also survived the war and returned home after the Armistice in 1918.
Personal Information
Birth date: April 15, 1885
Birthplace: Shetland Islands
Father: George Garster - Fetlar, Shetland Isles
Wife: Robina Garster (Reilly), Brock St. Port Dalhousie
Occupation: Sailor
Military Information
Service Number: 210345
Rank: Pte.
Regiment: 58th Battalion, Central Ont. Regiment
Theater of Service:
Date of Death: October 8, 1916
Age: 31
Length of Service: 9 months
Last Battle: Ancre Heights - Regina Trench
Burial Details: Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont, France
Grave Reference I A 33
Other Details
Commemorations: Page 90 Book of Remembrance
Certificate
Photos:
More Photos of Adanac
Cenotaph
Articles: Toronto Star, November 17, 1916