The unclued lights, (two of two words), are of a kind. Chambers does not give the solution at 12 Across. So as to avoid alternative thematic solutions at 28A, solvers should know that the first letter is the same as the final one.
Across
2 Amblers won’t be adapting military item (13, three words)
12 Reported as irresponsible piano disposal (6, two words)
14 Cure for one at sea (4)
15 Yearn to get control of free shot in hockey (10, two words)
16 Tenements holding ordinary footlights (6)
18 Sayings of one involved in gaol-break (5)
19 Type setter and mason’s assistant? (9)
22 Abner’s boss that is a mourner for hire (6)
24 Aristocracy gaining billions in swindles (7)
26 Small computer operating without letter (7)
30 Girl is weirdly supernatural, parentless (6)
34 Understand punter has to improve (9, two words)
38 Consent from one about a month back (6)
40 Active bird is busy (4, two words)
41 Try hearing deputy boss at The Golden Temple? (6, two words)
42 English shrub with irregular 27 (5)
Down
2 All running in (some not finishing) race (6)
3 Symbolic penman confused legislator (10)
5 Fancy becoming a tenor? (6)
7 Pondweed shows vein in middle of leaf (6)
8 Mount from Newmarket, naturally (4)
9 Love to get up about quarter past one? (5, two words)
11 Old hotel servant accepting small advertisements (6)
13 A priest tended to turn foreordained (13)
17 Plump fish in reserve (6)
20 Flyer holds up measure which could make things easier (10)
21 Like a pregnant vixen, perhaps, one having nightmares (6)
25 Pristine husks Slav brought up (8, hyphened)
27 Cuts omitting small county? (7)
29 Elderly Engineers inwardly of one mind (6)
31 Making a comeback in his dotage, Laver played smoothly (6)
32 Modest engineer in hollow (6)
33 ‘Wild Strait’ by Constable, say (6)
35 Presenter at 1100, we hear (5)
37 Not many on the radio. What a relief! (4)
A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 12 June. There are two runners-up prizes of £20. (UK solvers can choose to receive the latest edition of the Chambers dictionary instead of cash — ring the word ‘dictionary’.) Entries to: Crossword 2311, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.