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8 Across, Some soldier perhaps finding god, peace non-starter (6)

9 Across, Highest range making cock a hen,by the sound of it? (8)

12 Across, Those once charting the fall of apartheid (3,6)

17 Across, Number proceed quickly, neither straight_____for the 9-n guide (7,6)

Compiler - PUNK

Many thanks

9 himalaya - sounds like him a layer

12, Hit Parade (anagram)

17 answer seen as

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/Tenzing_Norgay

17a: Tenzing Norgay = Himalayan guide
ten - number
zing- proceed quickly
Neither straight ...nor gay?

8a Thorax (part of soldier (ant)

Thor (God) (p)ax (peace without starting letter)

Good Morning and many thanks to you all.