Soldier deserted on 2nd of February or March (6)
I believe the answer is:
parade
'march' is the definition.
(I know that march can be written as parade)
'soldier deserted on 2nd of february' is the wordplay.
'soldier' becomes 'para' (paratrooper).
'deserted' becomes 'd'.
'on' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'2nd of february' becomes 'e' (2nd letter of 'february').
'para'+'d'+'e'='PARADE'
'or' is the link.
(Other definitions for parade that I've seen before include "March-past of troops etc." , "Public procession or ceremonial march" , "Flaunt; ceremonial march" , "Assembly of troops for inspection" , "Public procession as on St Patrick's Day" .)