[Vocabulary] Tommy

[thedaffodils]

In life, he was honoured as the last survivor from the trenches during a war that cost millions of men their lives. In death, World War I veteran Harry Patch wanted the focus to be on peace.

And so the funeral of the 'Last Tommy', who died aged 111 last month, was about reconciliation rather than military display - of inclusion rather than separation.

Source: the Daily Mail

Does 'Tommy' refer to British Soldier? Why? Thank you!

[bhaisahab]

Originally Posted by thedaffodils

Source: the Daily Mail

Does 'Tommy' refer to British Soldier? Why? Thank you!

Yes, 'Tommy' does refer to British soldiers, have a look at this link:
Tommy Atkins - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[BobK]

... As the Tommies often referred to German soldiers as 'Gerry', I wonder which pair of names came first - Tom and Jerry - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (started in 1940 - a rather more frivolous pair of antagonists) - or Tommy and Gerry.

b