Alledgedly - and this is Folklaw - I can not back this with research - during one of Wellington's Battles, a dying Redcoat was carried past the Duke. Despite being in pain he answered his name - "Thomas Aitkin".

Many years later when the Duke of Wellington was "Comander in Chief" he was asked to approve the name of the specimne soldier whose name would be the one used as an example in Army forms.

He reflected and said "Thomas Aitkin" - Hence Tommy as the colective noun for the British Squaddy.

True or not, it's good story.

Gareth

BTW How did "GI Joe" originate ????