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Tore away from Waterloo and went missing (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

awol

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'missing' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for awol that I've seen before include "unaccounted for" , "Of soldier, illegally absent - initially" , "Take unofficial leave (abbrev.)" , "Missing without permission" , "Absent without leave (abbr.)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times (Crosaire) and the Irish Times.
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