Crossword Genius

Old soldier never at assembly (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

veteran

'old soldier' is the definition.
(veteran can mean a former soldier)

'never at assembly' is the wordplay.
'assembly' is an anagram indicator.
'never'+'at'='neverat'
'neverat' with letters rearranged gives 'VETERAN'.

(Other definitions for veteran that I've seen before include "Former member of the armed forces" , "Warhorse" , "Long-serving" , "Old soldier's" , "Experienced ex-serviceman" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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