Thanks Leo, clubs without soldiers (10)

I believe the answer is:

battalions

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'soldiers' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.

'thanks leo clubs without' is the wordplay.
'thanks' becomes 'ta' (UK informal version of 'thank you').
'leo' becomes 'lion' (I've seen this before).
'clubs' becomes 'bats' (bat is a kind of club).
'without' is an insertion indicator.
'ta'+'lion'='talion'
'talion' inserted within 'bats' is 'BATTALIONS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

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

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