1918 Tolkien probably spends much of his leisure time during 1918 writing the first version of a third story for The Book of Lost Tales: The Tale of Turambar (see *The Book of Lost Tales; *‘Of Túrin Turambar’).
1918–1919 An influenza pandemic kills between twenty and forty million people around the world (including, in 1919, Tolkien’s friend Colin Cullis).
January–March 1918 Tolkien rewrites the poem The Lonely Harebell (first composed in November 1916). On a later manuscript, in which the poem is called Elf Alone, he will add a note: ‘1915–1916 rewr[itten] 1918 | Cromer, Hosp[ital] Birm[ingham] | farmhouse near Easington, Yorks’.
19 January 1918 Tolkien is examined by a Medical Board at Humber Garrison headquarters in Hull. Although he has had two slight attacks, with a temperature reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which required bed rest for five days, he is gradually improving. The Board declares him 20 per cent disabled, unfit for general service for one month but fit for active duty with troops on home service for one month. He is ordered to continue service with the 9th Royal Defence Corps at Easington, and treatment by the regimental medical officer.
19 February 1918 Tolkien is examined by a Medical Board at Humber Garrison headquarters in Hull. He is improving slowly but ‘still looks weak & is unable for much exertion … & requires hardening’ (National Archives, Kew WO 339/34423). The Board declares him 20 per cent disabled, unfit for general service but fit for active duty with troops on home service. He is ordered to continue service with the 9th Royal Defence Corps at Easington and treatment by the regimental medical officer.
Late February–early March 1918 At some time in this period Tolkien returns to the 3rd Lancashire Fusiliers at Thirtle Bridge, and for five days is confined to bed by an attack of influenza.
10 March 1918 In the evening, German Zeppelins attack Hull and Hornsea.
19 March 1918 Tolkien is examined by a Medical Board at Humber Garrison headquarters in Hull. His general tone is improving but he still needs hardening. The Board declares him 20 per cent disabled, unfit for general service but fit for active duty with troops on home service. He is ordered to continue service with the 3rd Lancashire Fusiliers at Thirtle Bridge.
10 April 1918 A Medical Board at Humber Garrison headquarters declares Tolkien recovered and fit for general service.
Spring (?May) 1918 Tolkien is posted again to Penkridge, Rugeley Camp, Staffordshire. Edith, John, and Jennie Grove find rooms in a nearby house at Gipsy Green (*Staffordshire), on the Teddesley Park estate. Tolkien is able to stay with them occasionally. The name of Gipsy Green may be reflected in Fladweth Amrod (Gnomish, ‘Nomad’s Green’), a place in Tol Eressëa associated with Eriol and mentioned in The Book of Lost Tales. See note.
May–June 1918 Tolkien makes some drawings at Gipsy Green (Artist and Illustrator, figs. 22–23). One is a view of the house (Gipsy Green), another a series of vignettes (High Life at Gipsy Green): Edith washing herself, fixing her hair, playing the piano, carrying John in the garden; John in his cot; cats that dance when Edith plays the piano; and Tolkien himself in uniform, riding a bicycle to the camp timed ‘8.25 a.m.’ and ‘8.27 a.m.’, and standing erect at ‘9 a.m.’ Another vignette, labelled ‘The fish we couldn’t get at Swanwicks’, refers to a fishmonger in Stafford. A different sheet includes a portrait of Jennie Grove, a view of Edith from behind, and John in his cot. Probably at about this time Tolkien also draws other views of a garden, and Road near Stafford.
?June 1918 Tolkien is transferred to Brocton Camp.
June or July 1918 The firm of Erskine Macdonald publishes A Spring Harvest by Geoffrey Bache Smith, with a short introductory note by ‘J.R.R.T.’
29 June 1918 Tolkien contracts gastritis at Brocton Camp. By 12 July he will be admitted to ‘Brooklands’ officers’ hospital in Hull. – Although she is once again separated from her husband by a long distance, Edith will stay at Gipsy Green until 24 July. She is happy there, finds looking after the baby tiring, and is still not fully recovered from John’s difficult birth.
17 July 1918 A Medical Board in Hull declares Tolkien unfit in any category for one month. While in hospital he will learn a little Russian and work to improve his Spanish and Italian.
Late July–August 1918 Tolkien loses nearly two stone (28 lbs) as a result of his illness.
25 July 1918 From this date, Edith writes to her husband from 1 Blenheim Parade, Pittsville, Cheltenham.
10 August 1918 By this date, Edith moves again, to 2 Trinity Terrace, Cheltenham. She will still be at this address on 19 November.
26 July 1918 The War Office, apparently unaware of Tolkien’s medical condition, orders him to return to France via Boulogne on 27 July.
31 July 1918 The War Office cancels its order of 26 July.
4 September 1918 Tolkien is examined by a Medical Board at Humber Garrison headquarters in Hull. He is improving and beginning to regain the weight he had lost. The Board declares him 100 per cent disabled, unfit in any category for two months, and recommends that he be transferred to a convalescent hospital.
11 September 1918 Tolkien is transferred to Savoy Convalescent Hospital in Blackpool on the west coast of England.
12 September 1918 The War Office instructs its Northern Command, in charge of the Humber Garrison, to ascertain whether Tolkien is fit for Class C(ii), sedentary employment only. It is now nearly two years since illness forced his return from France, and for most of this time he has been ill or able to carry out only restricted duties.
28 September 1918 Tolkien’s medical records are reported transferred to Western Command, as he is now under its jurisdiction in Blackpool.
1 October 1918 The War Office authorizes Tolkien to take up sedentary employment, apparently having concluded that he is eligible for Class C(ii) even in advance of another examination. Tolkien himself, or perhaps the War Office on his behalf, now applies to the Ministry of Labour in this regard.
5 October 1918 The Ministry of Labour, Appointments Department, Officers’ University and Technical Classes (OUTC), Professional and Business Register acknowledges Tolkien’s application for employment under the Ministry, and informs him that his services have been requested from the War Office.
13 October 1918 Tolkien is present at a special dinner featuring Italian food, probably sponsored by Italians for patients at the Savoy Hospital and the King’s Lancashire Military Convalescent Hospital in Blackpool. (Italy at this time is ruled by the House of Savoy.) Tolkien obtains five signatures, including those of at least two Italians, on his printed menu card.
14 October 1918 A Medical Board at the King’s Lancashire Military Convalescent Hospital, Blackpool, declares Tolkien unfit for six months in any category except sedentary employment, and recommends that he be given one month’s leave. He is ordered to report in writing to the Controller of the Officers’ University and Technical Classes (OUTC) at Gresham House, Oxford. See note.
Late October 1918 Although officially on leave, Tolkien returns to Oxford by the end of the month.
1 November 1918 Tolkien reports for duty at the Ministry of Labour Appointments Department in Oxford. He gives as a contact address the OUTC office in University College.
Early November 1918 With little hope