Robert Laycock
Sir Robert Laycock | |
---|---|
Second World War
| |
Awards | Grand Officer of the Order of Orange Nassau with Swords (Netherlands) Commander with Star of the Order of St. Olav (Norway) |
Alma mater | Royal Military College, Sandhurst |
Spouse(s) |
Claire Angela Louise Dudley Ward
(m. 1935) |
Relations | Governor of Malta Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire |
Early life
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),[4] 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.[citation needed] 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).[4]
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.[according to whom?] He also briefly worked in a factory.[citation needed]
Military career
In 1927, Laycock was commissioned into the
Laycock was promoted to
Laycock commanded the Middle East Commando from August 1941 to August 1942, in
Governor of Malta
In 1954, his old friend,
Later years
From 1960 Laycock held the honorary positions of Colonel Commandant of the Special Air Service and Colonel of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry.
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 [by whom?] he had no enemies. He suffered from severe circulatory problems, which meant constant pain in one leg. 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.[citation needed]
Family
Laycock married Claire Angela Louise Dudley Ward (1916–1999) on 24 January 1935 at
Children
- Edwina Ottilie Jane Laycock (born 1936) has been twice married, and has children from both marriages.
- Joseph William Peter Laycock (1938 – bef. 16 December 1980), accidentally drowned with his eight-year-old daughter Flora in a boating accident on the OBE (1907–1971) by his wife Dame Celia Johnson, actress (1908–1982). Lucy Fleming is a niece of Ian Fleming, creator of "James Bond", and has remarried.
- Benjamin Richard Laycock (born 1947); married 1971, and has issue 1 son and 2 daughters.
- Emma Rose Laycock, now Lady Temple (born 1943), married 1964 Sir Richard Chartier Carnac Temple, 5th Bt. (born 1937), elder son and heir of Sir Richard Antony Purbeck Temple, 4th Bt., of The Nash, MC (1913 – 5 December 2007) by his first wife Lucy Geils de Lotbinière, dau of Alain Joly de Lotbinière, of Montreal; they have issue, three daughters.[7]
- Katherine Martha Laycock (born 1949); married 1969 David Mlinaric (born 1939), interior designer and decorator,[8] has three children.
References
- ^ Smart 2005, p. 182.
- ^ Mead 2007, p. 241.
- ^ "No. 36180". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 September 1943. p. 4220.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7499-5169-6
- ^ a b c d Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives
- ^ Anonymous. obituary for her cousin Bindy Lambton, or the former Countess of Durham, published in the Daily Telegraph on 18 February 2003. [1]
- ^ Michael Rhodes, with supplements by Brooke. " Sir Richard Antony Purbeck Temple, 4th Baronet, MC (1913–2007)". "Peerage_News" group on Google, 8 December 2007. The baronetcy was created 1876 for Sir Richard Temple, 1st Baronet, a British India colonial administrator.
- Lord Rothschild's private residences. See Christopher Bagley, "The Rothschilds, photographs by Derry Moore, W Magazine, January 2008, p. 2
Bibliography
- Dictionary of National Biography
- MacDonald, Callum (1995). The Lost Battle: Crete 1941. London: Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-333-61675-8.
- Mead, Richard (2007). Churchill's Lions: a biographical guide to the key British generals of World War II. Stroud (UK): Spellmount. ISBN 978-1-86227-431-0.
- Smart, Nick (2005). Biographical Dictionary of British Generals of the Second World War. Barnesley: Pen & Sword. ISBN 1844150496.
- Mead, Richard (2016). Commando General: The Life of Major General Sir Robert Laycock KCMG CB DSO. ISBN 978-1473854079.
- ISBN 0330239163.
External links
- Leo Van Der Pas. Robert Laycock's Descendants, for an incomplete version of Laycock's descendants. Last accessed 18 January 2008.
- British Army Officers 1939–1945
- Generals of World War II