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.

Laycock was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and appointed leader of the eastern Mediterranean commando force "Layforce", named after him.

[5] In 1954, his old friend, Antony Head, now Secretary of State for War appointed Laycock to the position of Commander-in-Chief and Governor of Malta.

[5] 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.

A noted horseman, yachtsman and historical book collector, his interests made him a man who could enjoy life.

[citation needed] Laycock married Claire Angela Louise Dudley Ward (1916–1999) on 24 January 1935 at St Margaret's, Westminster.