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As a clue in return, jazzy, I had tried to shoehorn the themed answer at 7d into 5d! One of the letters fitted...

Chris
Was it one that you had heard of ? :)

Yes, quite a familiar one

chris
Can you confirm that 4d is the one that is often used in a stew ? please

Yes it is. One to go .......

Finished !

The French commander is literally that - possibly one of the better known ones?

Having finished, I did know the French Commander (3 letters) but brain having a bad morning.

As others have said, not the most fun I've had of a Saturday morning. I think I've struggled to the end but I can only see 9 themes. Is there one that's less obviously a themed answer? Don't want to give spoilers, but I have 3 in the NW, 2 in the NE, 3 in the SE and 1 in the SW. Also not sure of the parsing of 16 down.

There are 2 in the SW, shrink - 16d is one.