Crossword Genius

Pole, Frenchman, colonist and soldier (5,8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

staff sergeant

'soldier' is the definition.
(staff sergeant is a military rank)

'pole frenchman colonist' is the wordplay.
'pole' becomes 'staff'.
'frenchman' becomes 'serge' (Serge is a common French name).
'colonist' becomes 'ant' (ants live in colonies).
'staff'+'serge'+'ant'='STAFF SERGEANT'

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for staff sergeant that I've seen before include "A senior NCO" , "NCO rank" , "Officer" , "person of rank" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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