Description

This minifigure represents a British rifleman private of the First World War, one of the millions of ordinary soldiers who endured the mud, blood, and horror of trench warfare. Known affectionately as “Tommies,” British infantrymen formed the backbone of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and later the mass citizen armies raised under conscription.

At the outbreak of war in August 1914, the British Army was small compared to the vast conscript armies of continental Europe. However, the Old Contemptibles of the BEF gained a reputation for professionalism during the early battles of Mons and the Marne. As the war dragged on, the army expanded massively, drawing in volunteers and, from 1916 onward, conscripts from across Britain and the Empire.

The rifleman’s standard weapon was the Lee-Enfield SMLE (Short Magazine Lee-Enfield) rifle, one of the most effective bolt-action rifles of the war. Its fast action allowed trained soldiers to fire up to 15 aimed rounds per minute, earning German respect during early encounters. Soldiers also carried bayonets, grenades, and occasionally the Lewis light machine gun, which supplemented rifle fire.

Uniforms consisted of khaki service dress, designed for practicality and concealment, paired with the Brodie steel helmet, introduced in 1916 to provide protection from shrapnel. Equipment included webbing with pouches for ammunition, water bottles, entrenching tools, and gas masks — vital after the first poison gas attacks in 1915.

British riflemen fought in some of the most infamous battles of the war: the Somme (1916), Passchendaele (1917), and Amiens (1918). They lived and died in the trenches, enduring relentless artillery bombardments, mud-filled dugouts, and the constant threat of machine gun fire. Despite these conditions, their determination and endurance played a decisive role in ultimate Allied victory.

This minifigure pays tribute to the ordinary private — the “Tommy” — whose sacrifice and perseverance came to symbolize Britain’s war effort.

Includes 1 minifigure disassembled and 1 Lee-Enfield rifle with bayonet attachment.

Pcs: 9

Age rating: 14+