Minifigure – British Army Infantryman (“Tommy”) – 1917 Late War Pattern WWI (LEGO Compatible)

Character Identification

Specific Name: WWI British Army Infantryman (“Tommy”) – 1917 Late War Pattern

This custom minifigure represents a classic British Commonwealth soldier from the latter half of the Great War, specifically outfitted for the Western Front campaigns of 1917 (such as Arras or Passchendaele).

Visual Description

This figure features the iconic equipment that defined the silhouette of the British “Tommy” in the trenches.

• Headgear: He wears the Brodie Helmet (Mark I Steel Helmet). Introduced in 1915 and widely issued by 1916, this flat, wide-brimmed “soup plate” helmet was designed to protect soldiers from shrapnel raining down from above in the trenches. The strap printed on his chin represents the leather liner strap used to keep the heavy helmet secure.

• Uniform: He is dressed in the standard Khaki Service Dress (SD). The tan/brown color was the first widespread use of camouflage in modern warfare, replacing the bright red coats of the 19th century.

• Torso & Gear: The most distinctive feature of this specific figure is the Pattern 1903 Leather Bandolier worn across his chest. While standard infantry often used canvas webbing (Pattern 1908), leather bandoliers were frequently used by Mounted Infantry, artillery, and often by Commonwealth troops (such as Australians/ANZACs) or soldiers needing to carry extra ammunition for rifles. The belt also features leather pouches.

• Legs: The legs are printed with Puttees—long strips of woolen cloth wrapped spirally from the ankle to the knee. These provided support and protection against the deep mud of the trenches.

• Back: The rear view shows a detailed Small Pack (Haversack) strapped to his back, likely containing rations, a mess tin, and personal items.

Historical Background

• The “Tommy”: British soldiers were affectionately known as “Tommies” (from the generic name “Tommy Atkins” used in example forms). By 1917, the British Army had transformed from a small professional force into a massive conscript army.

• The 1917 Context: By this stage of the war, the romanticism was gone. Soldiers faced industrial-scale slaughter in battles like Passchendaele, where the mud was as deadly as the enemy. The introduction of the steel Brodie helmet significantly reduced head injuries compared to the cloth caps worn in 1914.

• The Leather Bandolier: The presence of the leather bandolier gives this figure a rugged, veteran look. It holds 50 rounds of .303 ammunition for the Lee-Enfield rifle. This specific look is often popular in depictions of “Trench Raiders” or ANZAC forces who favored the durability of leather.