Crossword Genius

What defectors do in different ways for old soldier (6,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

desert rat

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

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

'what defectors do in different ways' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'ways' could be 'es' (east and south - two directions) and 'es' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for desert rat that I've seen before include "See soldier" , "WWII soldier" , "Tommy" , "North Africa campaign soldier" , "Soldier in the North African campaign (nineteen forty one to nineteen forty two)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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