tommy atkins

"Tommy Atkins" is a term that refers to a common soldier or infantryman in the British Army. It is often used to represent the archetype of the ordinary British soldier. The phrase dates back to the late 19th century and is derived from the name "Thomas Atkins," a generic name used on army forms to represent any soldier. It became widely known and popularized during World War I. Even though it specifically refers to British soldiers, it can also be used more broadly to represent ordinary soldiers from any country.