Major-General Sir Robert Edward Laycock, was a senior British Army officer best known for his influential role in the establishment and command of British Commandos during the Second World War.
Portrait of Laycock by William Timym, c. 1943.
Robert Laycock in 1943.
Laycock inspecting Marine Commandos shortly before the 1944 Normandy landings. Standing behind is Lieutenant Colonel Norman Charles Ries, CO of No. 45 (RM) Commando.
Shah of Iran visiting West Burton Power Station on 6 March 1965 with Major-General Sir Robert Laycock, the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire.
Commandos (United Kingdom)
The Commandos, also known as the British Commandos, were formed during the Second World War in June 1940, following a request from Winston Churchill, for special forces that could carry out raids against German-occupied Europe. Initially drawn from within the British Army from soldiers who volunteered for the Special Service Brigade, the Commandos' ranks would eventually be filled by members of all branches of the British Armed Forces and a number of foreign volunteers from German-occupied countries. By the end of the war 25,000 men had passed through the Commando course at Achnacarry. This total includes not only the British volunteers, but volunteers from Greece, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Canada, Norway and Poland. The United States Army Rangers and US Marine Corps Raiders, Portuguese Fuzileiros Portuguese Marine Corps were modelled on the Commandos.
The Commando Memorial
Major-General Robert Laycock, inspecting Royal Marines Commandos shortly before the Normandy landings, 1944.
Commandos simulate an amphibious landing by disembarking from a dummy landing craft into a shallow pit filled with water.
Commandos demonstrate a technique for crossing barbed wire during training in Scotland, 28 February 1942.