Tommy Atkins

"Tommies" from the Royal Irish Rifles in the trenches during the First World War.

Tommy Atkins (often just Tommy) is a term for a common soldier in the British Army. The term was used in the 19th century, but it is particularly associated with World War I. It can be used when talking about the soldiers, or when speaking to them. German soldiers would call out to "Tommy" across no man's land if they wanted to speak to a British soldier. French and Commonwealth troops would also call British soldiers "Tommies".

Harry Patch, who died aged 111 on 25 July 2009 was known as the "Last Tommy" because he was the last surviving British soldier who fought in World War I.

Tommy Atkins Media

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  A publicity photograph of "Tommy Atkins", a soldier of the 51st Division, seated with a large doll in his arms, taken during the German offensive in Lys, 13 April 1918.

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  Front cover of sheet music, pub 1893, for song "Private Tommy Atkins" composed by Samuel Potter (1851–1934) and Henry Hamilton (c. 1854 – 1918). Signed by baritone C. Hayden Coffin.

Other websites

• The Last Tommy Archived 2016-03-08 at the Wayback Machine - a campaign to mark the passing of the last WWI Tommy with a state funeral.