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I wouldn't say that was 'thick', Notrab. Perhaps taking analysis to the nth degree...nothing wrong with that ! Afraid I can't help with the wordplay of 29 - once I confirmed the first letter of the answer with the instruction, it wasn't necessary.

You can parse volunteer if you misprint "and".
Have finally got connection

29d. If you add a standard two-letter abbreviation for an American soldier inside your answer to 29d you get an Australian word for a Teddy girl.

And a thank you to Dryden. I can now watch MK Dons v Chelsea with my mind at rest!

Close to finishing but I have 28d ending in O but a word in the grid seems to finish with N in that square. Will try to solve 37 beginning with N as got nowhere with O!

Rickeye
O is correct for the end of 28d and the start of 37a (which is a thematic answer)

Thanks. Will ignore SHOWMEN

Had RETAIL incorrectly.

But only up to a point will I ignore it. Babes and sucklings....

Having completed still can't parse 20A ( obviously another blind-spot). Think I just need a nudge!