Crossword Genius

Travels round with some soldiers and privates (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

orbits

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'travels round' is the definition.
(to orbit is to travel around)

'some soldiers and privates' is the wordplay.
'some soldiers' becomes 'OR' (Other Ranks).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'privates' becomes 'bits' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'or'+'bits'='ORBITS'

'with' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for orbits that I've seen before include "Circulates" , "Whole rounds" , "Curved paths of celestial objects" , "Goes around like paths of planets" , "Travels in circular path like planet" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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