Crossword Genius

Returned soldier in it, doctor? Active beginning combustion? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ignition

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'beginning combustion?' is the definition.
'ignition' can be an answer for 'combustion?' (ignition is a kind of combustion). I'm unsure of the 'beginning' bit.

'returned soldier in it doctor? active' is the wordplay.
'returned' is a reversal indicator.
'soldier' becomes 'GI' (GI can mean a US soldier).
'doctor?' indicates an anagram (I've seen 'doctor' mean this).
'active' becomes 'on' (I've seen this in other clues).
'gi' written backwards gives 'ig'.
'in'+'it'='init'
'init' with letters rearranged gives 'niti'.
'ig'+'niti'+'on'='IGNITION'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ignition that I've seen before include "Starting of combustion" , "Internal-combustion engine's firing system" , "Act of lighting burner" , "Car engine starter" , "Mechanism to start car engine by sparking fuel" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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