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Royal Irish Rifles ration party Somme July 1916
"Tommies" from the Royal Irish Rifles in the trenches during the First World War.

Tommy Atkins (often just Tommy) is a nickname for a common soldier in the British Army. This term was used a lot in the 19th century. But it became especially well-known during World War I. People used it when talking about the soldiers. They also used it when speaking directly to them. For example, German soldiers would sometimes call out "Tommy!" across no man's land if they wanted to talk to a British soldier. Soldiers from France and other Commonwealth countries also called British soldiers "Tommies."

What Does "Tommy Atkins" Mean?

The name "Tommy Atkins" is a friendly way to refer to a British soldier. It's like a general name for any soldier, not one specific person. It helped people feel connected to the soldiers fighting for their country.

Where Did the Name Come From?

The exact start of the name "Tommy Atkins" isn't fully clear. However, the British Army used "Thomas Atkins" as a placeholder name on official forms. This was for examples of how to fill out paperwork. For instance, a sample form for a soldier's records might use "Thomas Atkins" as the soldier's name. This made the name very familiar to everyone in the army. Over time, it became a popular nickname for any British soldier.

Tommy in World War I

During World War I, the name "Tommy" became very famous. British soldiers were often called "Tommies" by their allies and even their enemies. It helped create a strong identity for the British forces. The term showed the spirit and bravery of the soldiers fighting in the trenches.

The Last Tommy

Harry Patch was a British soldier who fought in World War I. He was born in 1898 and lived a very long life. When he passed away on 25 July 2009, he was 111 years old. Harry Patch was known as the "Last Tommy." This is because he was the last surviving British soldier who had fought in World War I. His death marked the end of an era.

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