completely brilliant!
I'll keep Manet/Mandrill to one side in case anything else springs to mind
How about these:
6 - A dignitary comes upon a tree and a guy(8) - possible NOBLEMAN?
7 - Register a battle on an upturned tin? (7)
8 - He is in the middle of an act out east to get an order (6)
9 - This one is mad (6) - MANIC? but don't know where the 'c' comes from!
10 - He is the leader of 12 (7)
Thanks - there's more to come!!! x