Robert Edward Laycock

Major-General Sir Robert Laycock KCMG CB DSO KStJ
Major General Sir Robert "Lucky" Laycock
Nickname(s)	Lucky
Born	(1907-04-18)18 April 1907 Westminster, London, England
Died	10 March 1968(1968-03-10) (aged 60) East Retford, Nottinghamshire, England
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Years of service	1927–1965
Rank	Major-General
Service number	37258
Unit	Royal Horse Guards
Commands held	Layforce Special Service Brigade Combined Operations
Battles/wars	World War II Battle of France North African Campaign Battle of Crete
Awards	Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order Knight of the Venerable Order of St John
Spouse(s)	Claire Angela Louise Dudley Ward
Relations	Joseph Frederick Laycock (father)
Other work	Governor of Malta Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire

World War II

Major-General Sir Robert Edward Laycock KCMG CB DSO KStJ (18 April 1907 – 10 March 1968) was a senior British Army officer, most significant for his service with the British Commandos during the Second World War.

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), 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).