Crossword Genius

Taking soldiers miles round after stretching? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

removal

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'taking soldiers miles round after stretching?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'soldiers miles round after stretching?' is the wordplay.
'soldiers' becomes 'RE' (Royal Engineers).
'miles' becomes 'm' (common abbreviation).
'round after stretching?' becomes 'oval' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
're'+'m'+'oval'='REMOVAL'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for removal that I've seen before include "Expulsion" , "Ejection" , "Elimination" , "Transference" , "Transferral" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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