1914

11 October 1914

J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

#1194

Writing to Edith on the first day of Michaelmas Full Term, Tolkien describes the situation at Oxford. His college is empty and the Examinations School h...

13 October 1914

J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

#1195

Writing to Edith, Tolkien mentions that Oxford is a place of gloom.

1915

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 soo...

?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 this letter but it is almost certainly to congratulate Tolkien that both of them had ...

?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...

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

The War Office to J.R.R. Tolkien

#1268

The War Office writes to Tolkien c/ o Father Francis Morgan at the Birmingham Oratory. He has been appointed as a temporary Second Lieutenant in the New...

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 Moselye and...

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’. To...

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 a Mr ...

11 July 1915

Christopher Wiseman to J.R.R. Tolkien

#1272

Christopher Wiseman writing to Tolkien, says he has seen a notice that the Navy wants mathematicians as instructors, and is now awaiting the formal noti...

11 July 1915

G.B. Smith (?) to J.R.R. Tolkien

#1274

Tolkien writes that he has been "gazetted". See #TCGLetter1273

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...

?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 transfered once his training is completed.

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....

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.

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 and a noble po...

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 probably...

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...

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 terrible w...

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

Following Tolkien's request for leave, requested on 8 May (#TCGLetter1328), they say that leave is not being granted at present, but then the order is s...

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...

?18 (possibly 11) 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 sorry Tol...

25 June 1916

G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien

#1543

G.B. Smith writes, wishing Tokien well "in all that may happen to you within the next few months, and may we live beyond them to a better time". This le...

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...

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. this other letter re...

9 November 1916

Lieutenant-Colonel Bird / 11th Lancashire Fusiliers 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 South General H...

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 the ea...

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 ...

1917

12 February 1917

J.R.R. Tolkien to War Office

#1579

Tolkien writes to the War Office from Great Haywood where he is currently residing to inform them of this change of address. On 23 January he was examin...

c. 15 April 1917

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman

#1586

Tolkien replies to Wiseman to say he has to report for military duty on 19 April.

12 July 1917

?Unknown Army Department to J.R.R. Tolkien

#1591

A letter from an unknown department to Tolkien at Thirtle Bridge Camp, Withernsea. No details are known currently.

14 July 1917

?Unknown Army Department to J.R.R. Tolkien

#1590

A letter from an unknown department to Tolkien at "R.E. Signal Depot, Dunstable, Bedfordshire". No details are known currently.

21 July 1917

?Unknown Army Department to J.R.R. Tolkien

#1592

A letter from an unknown department to Tolkien at "R.E. Signal Depot, Dunstable, Bedfordshire", redirected to Thirtle Bridge Camp, Withernsea. No detail...

10 September 1917

🖼

Hilary Tolkien to J.R.R. Tolkien

#1881

Hilary writes to Tolkien giving updates on his current happening. He asks him to send his wishes to Edith. He will write to her but not for a few days a...

1918

c. 28 October 1918

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman

#1604

Tolkien writes to Wiseman while he is at sea and the letter takes seven weeks to reach him. No details are known of the letter. Wiseman replies on 16 De...

27 December 1918

Christopher Wiseman to J.R.R. Tolkien

#1605

Wiseman apologizes that he was unable to visit Tolkien in Oxford but he has now to return to HMS Monarch afterwhich he will take up his teaching post at...

1940

12 July 1940

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien

#1377

 Carpenter #38a

Tolkien replies to a letter from his son Michael where he had evidently spoken about his feelings about events of the world, studies, etc. Tolkien is re...