The Red bike that had front wheel play is at the LBS for overhaul this week.
The Red bike work log shows:
780 miles - tyre sidewall damage. Wheel swapped on return to home.
1128 - bad puncture which Steve "helped seal - now ok"
1650 - original wheel installed with new tyre.
2530 - tyre slashed and replaced.
No further reported tyre problems until front wheel play developed ~ 4500 miles.
The Silver bike that Steve used after the Red bike has no reported problems in 2200 miles. This is the at home spare which is ready to go after chain & cassette change.
The Black bike has been in use this week. No reported problems.
So it looks like there has been only 1 puncture that delayed Steve at 1128 miles and 2 cases of tyre damage where Steve was able to continue home and then replace tyre/wheel. That's excellent in ~7800 miles of winter cycling