Battle of Boxtel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This was a battle fought during the Napoleonic Wars in Flanders on the 15th of September, 1794. It is said that the origin of the nickname "Tommy" was founded during this battle. After a fierce engagement, the Duke of Wellington, in command of the 33rd Regiment of Foot, spotted the best man-at-arms in the regiment, Private Thomas Atkins, terribly wounded. The Private said "It's all right sir. It's all in a day's work" and died shortly after. British soldiers were from then on known as "Tommy" due to their cheerfulness and bravery.
