Tommy Atkins

A letter sent from Jamaica about a mutiny amongst the troops says "except for those from N. America ye Marines and Tommy Atkins behaved splendidly".

[2][3] A common belief is that the name was chosen by Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, having been inspired by the bravery of a soldier at the Battle of Boxtel in 1794 during the Flanders Campaign.

[3] According to J. H. Leslie, writing in Notes and Queries in 1912, "Tommy Atkins" was chosen as a generic name by the War Office in 1815, in every sample infantry form in the Soldiers Account Book, signing with a mark.

[5] Richard Holmes, in the prologue to his 2005 book, Tommy, states that: Atkins became a sergeant in the 1837 version, and was now able to sign his name rather than merely make his mark.

When most of the Europeans in Lucknow were fleeing to the British Residency for protection, a private of the 32nd Regiment of Foot remained on duty at an outpost.

[9] Rudyard Kipling published the poem "Tommy" (part of the Barrack-Room Ballads, which were dedicated "To T.A.")

He recalled singing it on Ladysmith Night (1 March 1900) where "the audience were roused to such a pitch of enthusiasm, that they rose to their feet, and commenced to shower money on to the stage".

[12] In the children's fantasy novel The Indian in the Cupboard (1980) by Lynne Reid Banks, toy soldiers representing various historical wars are brought to life by magic.

"Tommies" from the Royal Irish Rifles in the Battle of the Somme 's trenches during the First World War .
A publicity photograph of "Tommy Atkins", a soldier of the 51st (Highland) Division , seated with a large doll in his arms, taken during the German offensive in Lys, 13 April 1918.
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.