Possible Clues:

• Is honoured half the lads returning did time in the army
• Noticed or followed the rules
• Watched old boy work for diamonds
• Kept an eye on
• Ascertained by sight
• Seen
• It's similar to 17 down and department checked it out
• Judge abandoning task dealt with witnesses
• Does verb disguise what's not overlooked
• Old boy was in the army, it's said