Mimes to transform into English soldiers (7)

I believe the answer is:

tommies

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'english soldiers' is the definition.
'tommies' can be an answer for 'soldiers' (nickname for British soldiers). I'm unsure of the 'english' bit.

'mimes to transform' is the wordplay.
'transform' indicates an anagram.
'mimes'+'to'='mimesto'
'mimesto' with letters rearranged gives 'TOMMIES'.

'into' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tommies that I've seen before include "British soldiers" , "Privates in the British army" , "WW1 privates" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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