Farmer, saint or soldier boy (5)
I believe the answer is:
giles
'farmer saint' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'soldier boy' is the wordplay.
'soldier' becomes 'gi' (GI can mean a US soldier).
'boy' becomes 'les' ().
'gi'+'les'='GILES'
'or' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for giles that I've seen before include "Boy's name" , "Farmer --- of Ham (Tolkien)" , "Sir - Gilbert Scott, English architect" , "Carl _____, newspaper cartoonist" , "-- Coren; -- Brandreth" .)