Stone, James Riley: my Army recollections (May 13 - June 17, 1980)
An interview/narrative of James Riley Stone's experiences during World War II and the Korean War. Colonel Stone, D.S.O., M.C. served with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry and the Canadian Provost Corps. Interview took place on May 13, 20, June 3, 10 and 17, 1980.
Interviewee: Stone, James Riley, b. 1908
Interviewer: Thackray, William S.
ABSTRACT: Col. James Riley Stone, D.S.O., M.C. The Loyal Edmonton Regiment Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Canadian Provost Corps Stone_J_0198_01.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 1) Born on Aug. 2, 1908 in England. Emigrated to Canada and was employed by the Alberta Forestry Dept. when war broke out in 1939. Joined the Edmonton Regiment at Grand Prairie. Promoted to corporal, sent to England on a small arms course. Sergeant, Apr. 1940. As a company sergeant major he participated in the raid on Spitzbergen. Officer training in Oct. 1941. Stone_J_0198_02.mp3 Ship loading course, posted away from regiment, later to rejoin them unofficially after "jumping ship" during the Sicily landings in 1943. Anecdote. Account of the terrain and fighting in Italy which exhausted the troops. Down with dysentery and malaria near Campo Basso. Describes difficult movement through mountainous country against skillful rear guard actions by the enemy. (45:00) Stone_J_0198_03.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 2) The unit suffered very heavy casualties in the battle for Ortona. Personally captured enemy anti-tank gun. Textbook street fighting, highly developed "mouseholing" through the walls of buildings. Awarded Military Cross. His company reduced to seventeen men when the town fell. Admired the German troops; first class discipline and fighting skills. Costly war of attrition, better to outflank towns wherever possible. "Winter of discontent", boredom, troops became stale and lacked aggressive spirit. Describes a fighting patrol. British senior officers school. (45:00) Stone_J_0198_04.mp3 Unit withdrawn for reorganization. Returned to battle near the Arno River/Florence area. Gothic Line battles. Battle training. Realized that Canadians could fight a "professional battle". Rest on the Adriatic. Canadian reinforcements not well trained. San Fortunato Ridge. Awarded the Companion of the Distinguished Service Order for efforts in breaching the Gothic Line. Broke out into the valley of the Po River. (47:00) Stone_J_0198_05.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 1) Commanding officer of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, a rewarding and successful appointment. Comments on diseases, reinforcements, morale, Zombies. Battle of the River Lines, Savio River, Weasels, personal experiences. Naviglio Canal, very successful attack. Senio River. (45:00) Stone_J_0198_06.mp3 Christmas turkeys from the regimental farm. Describes German attack and defensive measures taken. Operation Gold Flake, Marseilles. Leave in London, 1945. In action in Holland and Germany, Apr. 1945. Details of scouting operation. Modest fighting, hundreds of German prisoners. Western Holland. After German surrender, heavy regime of drill for Victory Parade in Berlin to which he did not go. (45:00) Stone_J_0198_07.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 2) Pacific Force, new Loyal Edmonton Regiment which was soon disbanded. Left the army in May 1946. Built and ran a resort at Shuswap Lake, B.C. Commanded the Rocky Mountain Rangers (militia). Offered command of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry when Korean War began. Started training in Canada, continued at Fort Lewis, Wash. and moved to Korea before training finished. In accordance with his instruction by the Canadian government, he insisted that the battalion continue training until he was satisfied. Joined a British brigade in due course. Came down with what he claims was the last recorded case of smallpox in the British forces! Kap'yong battle described, awarded United States Presidential Unit Citation. Stone_J_0198_08.mp3 Some interesting small operations in a very uncomfortable war which contained none of the intensity of Italy. Unit withdrawn. Flew back to Canada to organize a parachute battalion. Great admirer of the American military, although perhaps not as good in withdrawal as in offence. Marine Corps excellent. Feels that two wars (Korea and Vietnam), unpopular with the American public, have had an effect on U.S. military morale. Parachute training. Developed dehydrated rations. (45:00) Stone_J_0198_09.mp3 (Reel 3) Commanded the Canadians at the Coronation Parade, 1953. Chief instructor, school of infantry. Appointed Provost Marshal for the Canadian army. In four years changed the Provost image. Soldiers first, police second. Established a fund in the military police for "comforts" for blind children. Later as Deputy Commissioner of Penitentiaries (1960-1973) did much to reform the penitentiary system. (25:00)
Rank: Colonel. Medals and Honours: Distinguished Service Order (DSO); Military Cross (MC)
- In Collection:
- 9 sound recordings (MP3)
- 51.5, 10.5
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- Three original sound tape reels (ca. 390 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 5 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- SJR_198
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/barney-singer-fonds
- June 2, 2010
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Transferred from audio reel to audio cassette between 1987-1997. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2010. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
- Rights
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- DOI
