Crossword Genius

One place where bachelors can join the artillery (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

basra

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'one place' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'bachelors can join the artillery' is the wordplay.
'bachelors can' becomes 'bas' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'join' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'the artillery' becomes 'ra' (Royal Artillery).
'bas'+'ra'='BASRA'

'where' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for basra that I've seen before include "Iraqi port on the Shatt-al-Arab waterway" , "City in Iraq" , "Chief port of Iraq" , "Iraqi port city" , "Iraqi town" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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