1. Robert Laycock was thus a half-brother of the 7th Marquess of Downshire; their sister Josephine married Edward Greenall, 2nd Lord Daresbury, and is grandmother of the present Baron.
11 Facts About Robert Laycock
1. 2.
Robert 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.
3.
In 1927, Robert Laycock was commissioned into the Royal Horse Guards.
4.
Robert Laycock was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and appointed leader of the eastern Mediterranean commando force "Layforce", named after him.
5.
Robert Laycock commanded the Middle East Commando from August 1941 to August 1942, in North Africa, Sicily and Italy.
6.
Robert Laycock then returned to the United Kingdom, was promoted to brigadier, and from 1942 to 1943 commanded the Special Service Brigade, which organised and trained all commandos in the United Kingdom.
7.
Robert Laycock served until 1959, having had his term extended twice.
8.
From 1960 Robert Laycock held the honorary positions of Colonel Commandant of the Special Air Service and Colonel of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry.
9.
Robert Laycock was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire in 1962.
10.
Robert Laycock suffered from severe circulatory problems, which meant constant pain in one leg.
11.
Robert Laycock married Claire Angela Louise Dudley Ward on 24 January 1935 at St Margaret's, Westminster.