The World War I Service of J.R.R. Tolkien: A Journey through the Battlegrounds and Behind the Lines

J.R.R. Tolkien, the renowned author of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, saw active duty during one of the most catastrophic conflicts in human history, the First World War. This article delves into his experiences, from his training grounds to the frontlines of the Somme, and how these events shaped his later life and works.

Training and Early Deployments

Second Lieutenant J.R.R. Tolkien was assigned to the 13th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, a British military unit that served in the First World War. His journey began in July 1915, when he was posted to Bedford in Bedfordshire for basic training. From there, he was transferred to Lichfield in Staffordshire in August 1915. He spent much of his time in the encampment of Whittington Heath Camp.

In November 1915, the 13th Lancashire Fusiliers was transferred to Rugeley Camp near Cannock Chase, still within Staffordshire. In December, the battalion was again moved, this time to Brocton Camp. The journey did not end there. In April 1916, Tolkien was seconded to the Signalling School in Ripon, Yorkshire, for a one-month training course.

Welcome to the Frontlines

On June 2, 1916, Tolkien received orders to join the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France. He arrived at No. 32 Camp in étaples, Pas-de-Calais, on June 6 and was quickly assigned to the 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. The battalion was part of the 74th Infantry Brigade of the 25th Division of the BEF.

The Somme Offensive, where Tolkien's unit saw action, was one of the largest and bloodiest battles in human history. His unit was stationed in the Somme département, just north-east of Amiens, and saw combat at locations such as La Boisselle, Ovillers, Thiepval, and Beaumont-Hamel. The heaviest fighting occurred during the struggle for the German fortifications around Thiepval from September 27 to October 22.

Wartime Illnesses and Medical Crucibles

On October 27, 1916, Tolkien reported sick and was diagnosed with trench fever the following day. He was transferred to the hospital at Le Touquet, where he stayed for a week. Due to his worsening condition, he was sent back to England on the hospital ship SS Asturias, arriving in Birmingham on November 9. He was admitted to the Southern General Hospital, where he recovered a month later on December 2. However, a medical examination declared him unfit for service, and he was advised to go home to convalesce for six weeks.

On January 23, 1917, another medical board examined Tolkien and confirmed his fitness. He was then posted to the 3rd Reserve Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers, based in Holderness, East Yorkshire. Later in the year, he spent a week at a training course for signallers in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. In August, Tolkien suffered a relapse of trench fever and was hospitalized at Brooklands Hospital in Hull, East Yorkshire, for another nine weeks.

Continuation of Service and Demobilization

In November 1917, Tolkien was temporarily transferred to the 9th Battalion Royal Defence Corps and received a promotion to First Lieutenant, effective July 1, 1917. In May 1918, he was posted to Rugeley Camp in Staffordshire. On July 12, he was again admitted to Brooklands Hospital, where he remained until September. During this period, he lost a significant amount of weight due to his illness.

The War Office, recognizing his inability to perform active duty, informed Tolkien on October 1, 1918, that his military grade had been altered to Class C ii, suitable for sedentary employment only. He was allowed to seek a civilian job, though he remained officially in the army. On November 24, he accepted an offer to work on the Oxford English Dictionary.

The war ended on November 11, 1918, and on July 8, 1919, Tolkien was informed that he would be discharged from the army with effect from July 16.

Through these experiences, Tolkien's physical and mental fortitude, along with the indomitable spirit prevalent among his fellow servicemen, undoubtedly had a lasting impact on his life and his literary works. Though the horrors of war may have influenced the darkness and wonder woven through his tales, Tolkien's journey from a Signal Officer on the frontlines to a scholar and author provides a fascinating lens through which to explore the intertwining of real-life experiences and literary creation.