Colonel Stone Avenue was dedicated to Colonel James Riley Stone by the Canada Lands Company on June 23, 2004, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).
In September 1939, 31 years old James Riley (“Big Jim”) Stone joined the Edmonton Regiment as a private. He rose steadily through the ranks, became an officer in 1942, and took command of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment in 1944. Stone was awarded the Military Cross for bravery during the Battle of Ortona. After Germany’s surrender in May 1945, Stone volunteered for the Pacific theatre and took command of the 3rd Battalion, Loyal Edmonton Regiment. Japan surrendered before Stone’s battalion could be sent overseas.
After the war he led a militia unit, but returned to active service during the Korean War as the commanding officer of 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Stone’s battalion received the U.S. Presidential Unit Citation for its heroic role at the Battle of Kapyong. He later became Chief Instructor at the Royal Canadian School of Infantry, and in 1954, Colonel Stone was appointed Provost Marshal of the Army and Corps Director of the Provost Corps, the army’s military police. He finished his career as Deputy Commissioner of Penitentiaries. Stone received the Distinguished Service Order on three occasions, and in 1994 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for his role in creating the Military Police Fund for Blind Children.
