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Guide to Tolkien's Letters
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Letters Letter Tags Stats

Guide to Tolkien's Letters

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World War I

(83 letters match)

1915

13 February 1915
Robert Quilter Gilson to Marianne Cary Gilson
#2324


Gilson writes that while he previously was certain that the war would end in six months, he now would not be at all surprised if it lasted ten years.
4 March 1915
Robert Quilter Gilson to Marianne Cary Gilson
#2329


Rob writes about a training exercise involving a Witch-Doctor/wizard.
9 April 1915
Rob Gilson to Estelle King
#2819


Gilson mentions his "dear, stupid, agricultural platoon".
19 April 1915
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1227


G.B. Smith replies to Tolkien that he is joining the 8th batallion and hopes to get Tolkien a place but he is not certain. He believes that Tolkien shou...
?14 May 1915
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1241


Writing to Tolkien, G.B. Smith confirms he is now with the 19th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers. They are stationed at the grand Hotel, Penmeanmaw...
1 June 1915
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#1243


Tolkien informs Edith that his friend, W.E. Hall has been killed in service. He says that Hall is the first of his friends to die, but he knows that wil...
?10 June 1915
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1244


Tolkien had asked G.B. Smith about being posted with Smith to his regiment and Smith replies saying that he should contact Colonel Stainforth of the 19t...
11 June 1915
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1245


Replying to a letter from Tolkien (at this time I have no date for that letter but it is almost certainly to congratulate Tolkien that both of them had ...
19 and 22 June 1915
Robert Quilter Gilson to Marianne Cary Gilson
#2330


Robert has moved to Lindrick Camp.
?20 June 1915
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1246


Smith writes to Tolkien offering him advice on the equipment he will need for camp. A large portion of the letter is available to read in The J.R.R. Tol...
28 June 1915
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1247


Smith informs Tolkien that Colonel Stainforth has offered him a place, he asks Tolkien to write to the Colonel. He again says he will try to get Tolkien...
[4 July 1915]
Geoffrey Bache Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2331


The day after Tolkien's exam result (First Class Honours) was published in The Times, Smith sends a congratulatory note to Tolkien. He also (again)...
9 July 1915
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1267


G.B. Smith writing to Tolkien while he was visiting his Aunt Mabel at Abbotsford, Moseley, Birmingham suggesting, again, that he ask Stainforth what he ...
9 July 1915
J.R.R. Tolkien to G.B. Smith
#1269


Tolkien writes to G. B. Smith informing him of his news from the War Office in a letter, see #TCGLetter1268. He will also write to Christopher Wiseman g...
9 July 1915
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman
#1270


Tolkien writes to Christopher Wiseman giving him the news of his army appointment (see #TCGLetter1268) and also mentions he will be visiting Moseley and...
9 July 1915
The War Office to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1268


The War Office writes to Tolkien c/o Father Francis Morgan at the Birmingham Oratory. This letter is signed by King George and Col. W. Elliot. He has be...
c. 10 July 1915
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1273


G.B. Smith wrote to Tolkien on or around 10 July 1915, he suggests the notice Tolkien would receive from the War Office would be the 'gazetting&apo...
11 July 1915
Christopher Wiseman to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1272


Christopher Wiseman writing to Tolkien, says that in June he had seen a notice that the Royal Navy wants mathematicians as instructors, and is now await...
11 July 1915
G.B. Smith (?) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1274


Tolkien writes that he has been "gazetted". See #TCGLetter1273
11 July 1915 (likely)
J.R.R. Tolkien (?) to Mr. How
#1271


There is some question whether Tolkien sent this letter, Hammond and Scull say that "Tolkien drafts and probably sends a letter from Abbotsford to ...
13 July 1915
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1275


Smith writes to Tolkien while he is at Abbotsford, Moseley, Birmingham (which will be forwarded to him at the Incledons, Barnt Green, on 15 July). He ad...
[22 July 1915]
Geoffrey Bache Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2333


Smith feel "philosophick" about Tolkien's appointment to the 13th Lancashire Fusiliers, though he would like Tolkien to be able to transf...
?23 July 1915
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1279


Likely in reply to a letter from Tolkien (currently unknown), Smith says that Tolkien can still try to be transferred once his training is completed. He...
23 August 1915
Robert Quilter Gilson to Marianne Cary Gilson
#2348


In this letter (along with #TCGLetter2349) Gilson writes about T. K. Barnsley becoming a professional soldier as part of the Coldstream Guards.
12 September 1915
Robert Quilter Gilson to Mrs. Cary Gilson
#2328


Smith, Wade-Gery and others from Oxford joined together to be officers in the Lancashire Fusiliers.
19 October 1915
Rob Gilson to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1294


Rob Gilson writes to Tolkien from No. 3 Camp, Sutton veny while Tolkien is at Brocton Camp, Staffordshire that he is likely to be sent ot he front soon....
31 October 1915
Robert Quilter Gilson to Marianne Cary Gilson
#2349


In this letter (along with #TCGLetter2348 ) Gilson writes about T. K. Barnsley becoming a professional soldier as part of the Coldstream Guards.
30 November 1915
Wilson King to Rob Gilson
#2336


Estelle King's father writes to Gilson, warning him that his marriage proposal to Estelle is not appropriate, as he is too low-class and there is a...
2 December 1915
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1300


G.B. Smith, who is in the trenches in France, writes to Tolkien asking for the long letter Tolkien promised in his last postcard to Smith.
30 December 1915
Christopher Wiseman to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1303


Wiseman writes to Tolkien at Brocton Camp. He has been posted to the HMS Superb. He has received 'Kortirion among the Trees' from Gilson (#TCG...

1916

7 January 1916
Rob Gilson to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1306


Rob Gilson writes informing Tolkien that he will be leaving for the front on 8 January.
7 January 1916
Robert Quilter Gilson to Marianne Cary Gilson
#2447


Robert Gilson writes that he is bringing Greek copies of the New Testament and The Odyssey with him on is deployment to France.
8 January 1916
Robert Quilter Gilson to Estelle King
#2445


Gilson writes to Estelle about his departure to France - how beautiful the sunrise was, and how it felt more like a holiday than being deployed.
12 January 1916
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1307


G.B. Smith writes to Tolkien while he is at Brocton Camp praising him for his poem 'Kortirion among the Trees' saying that "it is a great...
14 January 1916
Hilary Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#1821


Hilary Tolkien writes to Edith thanking her for her letter and parcel. He gives an update on matters in France and the hopelessness of the war. He remar...
February 3, 1916
Geoffrey B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1112


G.B. Smith writes to Tolkien at Brocton Camp, thanking him for the letter he wrote to him. Wayne Hammond and Christina Scull note that "Tolkien pro...
4 February 1916
Robert Quilter Gilson to Estelle King
#2448


Gilson writes to his love, describing his first exposure to the trenches in France.
9 February 1916
Hilary Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#1876


Hilary Tolkien writes to Edith with news of his time in France during WWI. He says that his party have returned from the front lines are on training and...
19 February 1916
Robert Quilter Gilson to Estelle King
#2446


Gilson says that he will take Estelle to Italy when the war is over.
10 March 1916
Rob Gilson to Estelle King
#2304


Gilson describes Tolkien's authority on etymology, and writes about Tolkien finishing school in Oxford before joining the Army. He mentions how &qu...
7 April 1916
Hilary Tolkien to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1877


Tolkien's brother Hilary writes to him with news from his own part of the war effort in France. He mentions that in the England they have had terri...
12 April 1916
Rob Gilson to Marianne Cary Gilson
#2453


Gilson writes that he finds trench slang obnoxious and he refuses to use it.
19 April 1916
Hilary Tolkien to J.R.R. Tolkien, Edith Tolkien
#1878


Hilary writes to Edith. It has been some time since his last letter and Edith has now moved from Warwickshire and he does not know her new address. He h...
8 May 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to Adjutant, 13th Battalion
#1328


Tolkien writes to the Adjutant of the 13th Battalion requesting leave for 13 to 17 May after he has completed his signalling course. His address if his ...
11 May 1916
Adjutant, 13th Battalion to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1329


Leave is not being granted at present, but then the order is struck, and he is given leave until 15 May.
23 May 1916
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1535


While at Brocton Camp, Tolkien receives a telegram from Smith who is at West Bromwich and on leave until 29 May. He wonders if they could meet.
2 June 1916
Army Headquarters, Cannock Chase to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1539


Tolkien is informed by telegram that he is to join the British Expeditionary Force in France. He must first report to the Embarkation Staff Officer at F...
6 June 1916
Robert Quilter Gilson to Estelle King
#2715


Gilson drew a sketch of his battalion resting at the side of a road, and sends it to Estelle.
early June 1916
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1540


Smith writes to Tolkien on his return to France, "attached 11th Lancashire Fusiliers, 25th I.B.D., 25 A.P.O. (S) 17, B.E.F." to say that he is...
9 June 1916
Robert Quilter Gilson to Estelle King
#2800


Gilson is overwhelmed by the horror of seeing men he has "known and lived and worked with for eighteen months carried away on stretchers, bleeding....
13 June 1916
Robert Quilter Gilson to Estelle King
#2799


Gilson writes to Estelle after having been disciplined twice by the censor for revealing too much about the war situation that he doesn't know what...
17 June 1916
Robert Quilter Gilson to Estelle King
#2752


Robert writes that he thinks the war might be coming to its end.
25 June 1916
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1543


G.B. Smith writes, wishing Tolkien well "in all that may happen to you within the next few months, and may we live beyond them to a better time&quo...
25 June 1916
Robert Quilter Gilson to Robert Cary Gilson
#2751


RQG writes to his father RCG, saying he is thankful for receiving a note from Tolkien that day. He is certain that peace will not be declared on the 26t...
13 July 1916
Lieutenant P. V. Emrys-Evans to Robert Cary Gilson
#2450


Emrys-Evans writes to Robert Quilter Gilson's father, describing RQG's first experiences of the trenches as compared to how he envisioned visi...
14 July 1916, [July 1916]
Pte. A. Bradnam to Robert Cary Gilson
#2818


Bradnam, Robert Quilter Gilson's batman, writes to Gilson's father describing the preparations made before battle on Gilson's last day.
15 July 1916
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1545


Smith writes to Tolkien, he has seen the newspaper and Rob Gilson is named among the dead. He had died on 1 July but had originally been named among the...
c. second half of July 1916
Cary Gilson to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2070


Cary Gilson, Rob Gilson's father, writes to Tolkien and likely includes a memorial card for Rob who had been killed at the Battle of The Somme in e...
25 August 1916
Mrs. Weatherhead to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2071


Mrs. Weatherhead, the mother of a soldier killed in action during WW1 writes to Tolkien to ask if he has any news about her sons death.
14 September 1916
Hilary Tolkien to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1880


Hilary, writing to his brother gives news of his time near the front lines. They are resting currently. He had heard from Edith a few days ago. He has b...
Between 30 October - 7 November 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to Lieutenant-Colonel Bird
#1559


Tolkien writes to Commanding Officer offering his regret at suffering from trench fever. He hopes to return to the same Batallion when he is well enough.
8 November 1916
[Captain] E. Munday to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1560


Captain E. Munday, Adjutant of the 11th Lancashire Fusiliers, writes to Tolkien, in reply to his letter to Lieutenant-Colonel Bird. He says that while i...
9 November 1916
Lieutenant-Colonel Bird to The War Office commissions Office
#1561


This letter, sent to Tolkien with a letter dated 8 November was to be passed to the War Office after Tolkien was determined fit for a return to service....
16 November 1916
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1565


Smith replies to Tolkien's earlier letter. He is relieved to hear that Tolkien is "still alive". Tolkien is at this time recovering at 3 ...
27 November 1916
3rd (Reserve) Battalion to South General Hospital, Edgbaston
#1568


The 3rd (Reserve) Battalion writes to South General Hospital in Edgbaston, directing that orders should be issued for Tolkien's next movements at t...
8 December 1916
Christopher Wiseman to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1569


Wiseman writes to Tolkien on politics, and the war. Thanking Tolkien for his letter and more of his poems. He says that R.W. Reynolds thinks that Tolkie...
16 December 1916 (postmarked 18 December)
Christopher Wiseman to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1570


Christopher Wiseman writes to Tolkien, G.B. Smith has died. Smith was injured by shrapnel on 29 November. He wrote to his mother saying that his wounds ...
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