Joseph Laycock

Brigadier-General Sir Joseph Frederick Laycock (12 June 1867 – 10 January 1952), sometimes known as Joe Laycock, was a British Army officer and Olympic sailor.

Laycock was the only son to Robert Laycock (1833–1881), barrister, and MP for North Lincolnshire in 1880-81, and Annie (née Allhusen), daughter to Christian Allhusen. He was borne at the Nottinghamshire Wiseton Hall (demolished 1960), purchased by his grandfather c.1866, which was Laycock's principal residence throughout his life. He was at one time a Deputy Lieutenant, Lord Lieutenant and, in 1906, High sheriff of Nottinghamshire.

Laycock married, on 14 November 1902, Katherine Mary (Kitty) Hare (1872–1959), a granddaughter to William Hare, 2nd Earl of Listowel. Kitty, the former Marchioness of Downshire, was married to the Arthur Hill, 6th Marquess of Downshire (1871–1918), who had divorced her citing adultery with Laycock. Laycock was also in an adulterous relationship with Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick, issue occurring before and during his marriage with Kitty. Daisy's fourth child, Maynard (1898–1960), and fifth, Mercy (1904-1968), were fathered by Lacock.

Laycock's son from his marriage to Kitty Hare, Robert Laycock, was knighted and awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his services in the Second World War.

Laycock was friends with Hugh Grosvenor, 2nd Duke of Westminster, and they competed together in the 1908 Olympics at Water Motorsport.

Military career
Laycock served with the Nottinghamshire (Sherwood Rangers) Yeomanry in South Africa during the Second Boer War 1899-1900, for which he was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in November 1900.

He was the first colonel of the Nottinghamshire Royal Horse Artillery when it was formed in 1908 as part of the new Territorial Force, and funded the founding of the battery himself.

During the First World War he served with his battery in the Middle East and also served with the Duke of Westminster's armoured car unit when it was involved in a widely reported incident where it rescued prisoners of war from Senussi tribesmen. Later he became the Commander Royal Artillery for the ANZAC Mounted Division.

During the Second World War, Laycock commanded the Nottinghamshire Home Guard.