Robert Laycock

Laycock was born in Westminster on 18 April 1907, the eldest son of Brigadier General Sir Joseph Frederick Laycock (died 1952)—an officer of the Royal Regiment of Artillery knighted for his services during the First World War—by his marriage on 14 November 1902 to Katherine Mary (Kitty) Hare (1872–1959), who was previously married to and divorced by the 6th Marquess of Downshire (died 1918),[1] and herself a granddaughter of William Hare, 2nd Earl of Listowel. Laycock was thus a half-brother of the 7th Marquess of Downshire; their sister Josephine (died 1958) married Edward Greenall, 2nd Lord Daresbury, and is grandmother of the present Baron. Through his father's relationship with the married Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick, issue occurring before and during his marriage with Kitty, Robert Laycock was half-brother to the Countess of Warwick's son Maynard Greville (1898-1960), and daughter, Mercy Greville (1904-1968).[1]

Laycock was educated at Lockers Park School and Eton College, followed by officer training at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, from which he emerged as a well-read young man with a scientific bent. He also briefly worked in a factory.

In 1927, he was commissioned into the Royal Horse Guards.[2] He served in the Second World War as a lieutenant-colonel with the commandos in North Africa, Crete, Sicily and Italy before being promoted to major-general and becoming Chief of Combined Operations in 1943.[2] He held that position until 1947.[2]

Robert Laycock in 1943.

Laycock inspecting Marine Commandos shortly before the 1944 Normandy landings.

In 1954, his old friend, Anthony Head, now Secretary of State for War appointed Laycock to the position of Commander-in-Chief and Governor of Malta.[2] This was during a period of tensions surrounding a drive for independence, with Prime Minister Dom Mintoff leading a campaign for "Integration (with Britain) or Self-Determination", and the Nationalist Party looking for a "Quasi-Dominion Status. Prior to his assuming the position of Governor, Queen Elizabeth knighted Laycock in the drawing room of Sledmere House, Yorkshire whilst staying as fellow house guests of Sir Richard Sykes, Baronet. Laycock served until 1959, having had his term extended twice.

Laycock suffered from severe circulatory problems, which meant constant pain in one leg. He was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire in 1962. A noted horseman, yachtsman and historical book collector, his interests made him a man who could enjoy life. It was said by many he had no enemies. While walking back from Sunday church services on 10 March 1968, Laycock suffered a massive heart attack and died. His estate was probated at £279,910.

Laycock married Claire Angela Louise Dudley Ward (1916-1999) on 24 January 1935 at St Margaret's, Westminster. Dudley Ward was the younger daughter of William Dudley Ward, Liberal MP for Southampton by his wife Freda Dudley Ward, granddaughter of Sir Thomas Isaac Birkin, 1st Baronet. Laycock and Dudley Ward had two sons and three daughters.[3]

• Leo Van Der Pas. Robert Laycock's Descendants, for an incomplete version of Laycock's descendants. Last accessed 18 January 2008.

• Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George; 1954
• Companion of the Order of the Bath; 1945
• Distinguished Service Order; 1943
• Knight of the Order of St John
• Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States)
• Commandeur Légion d'Honneur (France)
• Grand Officer of the Order of Orange Nassau with Swords (Netherlands)
• Commander with Star of the Order of St. Olav (Norway)

• Dictionary of National Biography
• Commando, Peter Young; Ballantine Books, New York, 1969
• The Lost Battle, Crete 1941, Callum MacDonald, Pan Books, 2002