Early Life
Laycock was born in London on 18 April 1907, the eldest son of Brigadier General Sir Joseph Frederick Laycock (d. 1952), a Royal Artillery officer, by his marriage to Katherine Mary Hare (1872–1959), previously married to the 6th Marquess of Downshire (d. 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 (d. 1958) married the 2nd Lord Daresbury and is grandmother of the present Baron. Laycock's father was knighted for his services during the First World War.
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.
Read more about this topic: Robert Laycock
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