Solving time, 15 mins, so I found it fairly easy.
* = anagram < = reversed
ACROSS
1 CHAP(ters) This was my last entry
3 A Fellow FAIR
7 GRAP(e) HIC
9 CHOW DER (red)<
11 OSIER Cider girl = Rosie from Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee. R = right moves to the end
12 MA(1)N FRAME 1 = lunchtime = I
13 CONNECTING (that joins) ROD ( bits of caR ODdly)
16 PATENT (LEA)THER (the pattern)*
19 A PO STATES (Op)<
21 (p)HONEY
22 SWA(HIlLI (wails)*
23 Drunk RUMMER
24 E NG AGE
25 Jerome KERN (songwriter), also historically a foot-soldier
DOWN
1 CLA (RIO)N
2 ABHORRENT (nob, rather)*
4 FICTIONALISED (Idiot’s life can)*
5 ALOOF hidden in hALO, OFten
6 RED CARD Indicating a player is sent off, heart from playing cards is red
7 GR OUCH
8 CAME TO NOTHING ie CAME O
10 ROES “Rose”
14 ROADHOUSE (A door’s hue)*
15 P (RAY) ER Favourite clue ” A little light comes in through talking to God?”
16 PRO PAN Energy source = first letter in the cryptic reading
17 HAN(d) G-MAN
18 MARS(h)
20 TRING TOURING less OU