Crossword Genius

Name the Italian in a British regiment (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

silas

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'name' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'the italian in a british regiment' is the wordplay.
'the italian' becomes 'il' (Italian for 'the').
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'a british regiment' becomes 'sas' (Special Air Service. I am not sure about the 'british' bit.).
'il' inserted inside 'sas' is 'SILAS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for silas that I've seen before include "-- Marner (George Eliot novel)" , "Weaver" , "Uncle - (Le Fanu); - Marner (Eliot)" , "' - - Marner' (lit.)" , "Missionary" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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