I Prize Cryptic Crossword No 1217

[souxie]

1 Across, 1 of 4 A hit back initially (4) ???B (4 Across = meats)
18 Across, Head of gurnard, mostly battered? just a small amount (6)?R???E
2 Down, What makes stone exist in two forms next to river? (5) ??B?R (TIBER?)
19 Down, Way of working picked up suitable pattern (5)??T?E

Many thanks in advance.

[cupid04]

19d] route?

[bibblebub]

1a: LAMB = lam + b(ack)

[Mamyalynne]

1 Lam B

[bibblebub]

18a: GRAMME = g(urnard) + ramme(d)

[bibblebub]

2d: am be r

[tyrepill]

1a Lam b
18a gramme
2d Amber

[tyrepill]

19d Motif

[souxie]

If 19 down is MOTIF, That makes the answer for 24 across which I had wrong, REME
24 Across, 1 of 4A WWll soldiers securing end to battle (4) ?E?F (BEEF)

[bibblebub]

is there a theme ?

BEF = British Expeditionary Force
end of battlE = E

[BlackadderV]

Beef is correct B E F around E.

[BlackadderV]

The theme is meats.

[souxie]

Many thanks to all.

[bibblebub]

thanx slackbladder