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33 Anag ILE(s)t Def =anag of MIL(l)E
35 (F)ETWAS = anag. In IRAN change I to another letter
39 Flag = a flower (4) Reminder = 4 letters used in an office. Tense = the usual (1 letter). Extra letter = T
23D Def = STEP OVER (like a Collossus?) Extra letter N
27 Def = Drawing net Wordplay = anag of IN IN + GSE
30 DEF = With pile in verse. A Spenser word. RAM = Astrology.

turast has given you hints to the clues: read withdrawn letters backwards from last clue - this gives a word which leads to a poem. You have one captain, you need one more. when you get the poem you will see what else you need. hope this is enough.

Many thanks Turast and Token. I shall pursue before I go out later.

Thanks to the generous help here I now have a full grid and have located one from each group ( each of 7 letters and reading downwards ). Do the others run in the same direction? I have looked at the grid until I am blue in the face and still cannot find the two elusive characters.

you'll wind up with R(an)K "outsiders" in the grid

I'm in a similar position - grid full and message deciphered.
Am I looking for a 4 letter example of a Recessional Hymn? and then remove those letters from the grid.
Hint appreciated.

Remove Captains and Kings from the grid.

Many thanks kilgore trout - I now understand the giste of what is required. 4 Characters, I assume are 4 historical characters: 2 kings + 2 captians? that must be removed from the grid to reveal RK?

Thanks for your hint Kilgore Trout. I shall keep looking for my two elusive characters. Crackabilly, one of the captains is fictional. The other may be because I am still searching for one of each.

Both captains are fictional and both kings are not.