| PLEADED | Begged deputy to come back, holding influence (7) |
| GOAL | Aim to come back holding a record (4) |
| TRAPPED | Caught deputy to some extent on the retreat (7) |
| DEPRAVE | Corrupt deputy to go mad (7) |
| SEAWALL | Defence was back, holding key to everything (7) |
| EMPOWER | Entitle army corps to pull back holding detainee (7) |
| HASSETT | Geelong-born batsman, and deputy to Bradman, within the so-called Invincibles of 1948 (7) |
| STANDIN | Deputy to have base at home (5-2) |
| BASTION | Head back holding sparkler as defence (7) |
| SHINDIG | GIs back, holding "tail party" (7) |
| SECTION | Almost back, holding it up as part of the Guardian, say (7) |
| NABOKOV | Van comes back holding new book of Russian-born author (7) |
| SNIPPET | Scrap containers sent back holding protective gear (7) |
| LILLIAN | Pin back holding sick silent movie great (7) |
| CLAMPED | Dec's back, holding a lamp - and locked car perhaps! (7) |
| NOSEJOB | Son's upset, wants to be back holding sweetheart in cosmetic surgery (4,3) |
| TRACHEA | Drawing back, holding long tube |
| STEWARD | Attendant pulls back, holding note |
| ITDEPENDS | Expresses uncertainty, referring to technology used by deputy to meet objectives |
| DEFENDER | Guardian's to hold back, holding back (8) |
