Deserted since sailor toppled memorial (6)

I believe the answer is:

dagoba

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'memorial' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'deserted since sailor toppled' is the wordplay.
'deserted' becomes 'd'.
'since' becomes 'ago' (I've seen this before).
'sailor' becomes 'ab' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'toppled' says the letters should be written backwards (in a down clue, letters go up).
'ab' back-to-front is 'ba'.
'd'+'ago'+'ba'='DAGOBA'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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