CRYPTIC crossword

ACROSS

6 Became aware of job in Royal

Mail service (10,4) 9 Harry Mackenzie’s losing skin

– because of this? (6) 10 Fruit, initially blue, Beryl Reid

regularly stewed (8) 11 Those in trouble left railway

tavern (8) 13 Carried back European to get

dressed for ceremony (6) 15 Sign of shame, first of two in

Sophocles character (6) 17 Graduates from university in

Milan possibly (6) 19 Pinched German cake

trainee’s forgotten (6) 20 Men only put in reduced bid

not seen byaudience (8) 22 Tribute in French company?

Mother receives one (8) 24 Lawman making no attempt

to defend American (6) 26 What famished people do in

army training facilities? (7,7)

DOWN

1 Rare minerals affected rock

group (8,6) 2 Check out feel-good factor on

way up (4) 3 Attack a small yacht (6) 4 Disorderly London road, as

some snootily call it? (4-4) 5 It’s used to fence group of

sheep, expertly reared (4) 7 English doctor tracks first sign

of owl, immature one (6) 8 C leaner getting rid of undergrowth (9,5) 12 Sound of bird around harbour would create excitement (5) 14 Cancel terms of employment

(5) 16 Bloke accepts new raised

offer for half of bill (8) 18 Joker covers spades in space

(6) 21 Brief uproar involving university no good for growth (6) 23 Cricket ground starts to offer

value-added luxury (4) 25 Small drunkard upset cast (4)