tommies
Trench warfare Brits
Tommies is the plural of Tommy, British slang for a common soldier in the British Army.
The term gained wide currency during World War I, when British infantrymen were known collectively as Tommies: The tommies went over the top at dawn.
The name derives from "Tommy Atkins," a placeholder name used on sample military forms, much like "John Doe" in American contexts.
Ground combat troops
- troopsMilitary personnel collectively
- platoonSmall infantry formation
- battalionMid-sized military unit
- regimentColonel-led military unit
company · brigade · division · squad · unit · army · servicemen · personnel
British military forces
- AtkinsCarbohydrate-restricting eating plan
- khakiDull yellowish-brown shade
- KiplingVictorian jungle storyteller
- empireDomain under unified control
colonial · tea · crumpets · Blighty · lads · mates · chums · pals
Elongated ground excavations
- battlefieldCombat engagement area
- frontlineCombat's forward position
- no-man's-landUnclaimed disputed territory
- shellshockTrauma from combat exposure
dugout · barrage · bayonets · armistice · Somme · Flanders · poppies · mud
Capacity to recover quickly
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- staminaCapacity for sustained effort
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
grit · determination · toughness · steadfastness · survival · hardiness · durability · strength
infantry
Ground combat troops
- troopsMilitary personnel collectively
- platoonSmall infantry formation
- battalionMid-sized military unit
regiment · company · brigade · division · squad · unit · army · servicemen · personnel · privates
redcoats
British military forces
- AtkinsCarbohydrate-restricting eating plan
- khakiDull yellowish-brown shade
- KiplingVictorian jungle storyteller
empire · colonial · tea · crumpets · Blighty · lads · mates · chums · pals · comrades
trenches
Elongated ground excavations
- battlefieldCombat engagement area
- frontlineCombat's forward position
- no-man's-landUnclaimed disputed territory
shellshock · dugout · barrage · bayonets · armistice · Somme · Flanders · poppies · mud · billets
resilience
Capacity to recover quickly
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- staminaCapacity for sustained effort
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
tenacity · grit · determination · toughness · steadfastness · survival · hardiness · durability · strength · willpower
- infantryfoot soldiers, foot soldier, rifleman, riflemen, infantryman
tommiesbrass
Copper-zinc metal mixture
officers · top brass · generals · colonels · staff officers
tommiescivilians
Non-military population
non-combatants · refugees · home front · conscientious objectors