1916

Tolkien-related events that took place in 1916.

Early

• ? - Being a linguist, Tolkien decides to specialise in signalling, and learns Morse code.

March

• 2- J.R.R. Tolkien writes Letter 4.
• 16 - J.R.R. Tolkien receives his degree at the University of Oxford.
• 22 - J.R.R. Tolkien marries Edith Bratt.

April

• 29 - William Squire, who would play Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings (1978 film), is born.

June

• 2 - J.R.R. Tolkien receives orders to report in Folkestone, and prepare for embarking.
• 4 - Tolkien leaves for France.
• 27 - J.R.R. Tolkien leaves Étaples, and goes to the Somme front.
• ? - Tolkien might have written the poem Habbanan beneath the Stars.

July

• 1 - One of the bloodiest battles in recent history, the Battle of the Somme, starts.
• 1 - Robert Gilson is one of the first of the 360,000 British casualties when he is hit by a shell at La Boiselle.
• 14 - Tolkien's C-company is sent into action at the Somme front.
• 22 - Ralph "the Baby" Payton, one of the T.C.B.S., is killed in action.

August

• 12 - Tolkien writes Letter 5.
• 19 - Tolkien and G.B. Smith meet at Acheux.

September

• 13-24 - Revises the poem The Mer aid’s Flute and composes Consalatrix, Affictorium, and Stella Verspertina
• 19 - Terence Tiller, writer of the 1955 radio series of The Lord of the Rings, is born.

October

• 26 - While in reserve, J.R.R. Tolkien's battalion is inspected by Sir Doulgas Haig, the British commander at the Battle of the Somme.
• 27 - Tolkien is struck by "pyrexia of unknown origin": trench fever.

November

• 8 - Tolkien is repatriated, and is sent to a hospital in Birmingham.
• 22 - J.R.R. Tolkien signs a form for the War Office, confirming his return to England from France due to trench fever.
• 29 - G.B. Smith is hit by shrapnel, and wounded on his right arm and thigh.

December

• 3 - G.B. Smith dies of gas-gangrene in his wounds. The news doesn't reach Tolkien until the 16th.
• 16-25 - Tolkien recovers, and he and Edith visit Great Haywood.
• 28 - Noel Johnson, who would play Éomer in The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series), is born.

?

• ? Canon Norman Power, an acquaintance of J.R.R. Tolkien, is born.

Years 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919