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That's amazing, as soon as I posted, I found the answer! I was using the iOS version of Chambers which, unlike the book, doesn't tell you that starn is an alternative spelling for stern2.

Presuming STOCKINGS makes up the last 9 letters of the thematic compound plural noun to be clued. Can anyone point me towards the other 6 letters to go in front of it?

You're on the right lines, but its the second, 7-letter word that's the plural.

The title of the puzzle is a big hint.