Thanks kk, but not really - the clue that gives the R is Soldiers, nearly all warm (7) I had T?????L and could only find thermal in Chambers wordgames which meant anything to do with "warm"
Thanks netkey and kk - I have decided to go for soar, as it is a river in UK and I can't find anywhere called sour on google. Think the exclam mark in clue would suggest that it might sound disagreeable (!) I'm only pleased to have actually finished skel without ripping up Express in frustration as oft is my wont! Doubtless I'm up the wrong tree....