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Laycock, John Ernest

Service number:
164261
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Promotions:
December 21st, 1940: 2nd Lieutenant
June 21st, 1942: Lieutenant
December 6th, 1942: Temporary Captain
March 13th, 1945: Temporary Major

He served as Captain Territorial Army from 1945-51
12 augustus 1947: Efficiency Territorial Medal (Honoray Major)

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Captain
Unit:
Royal Regiment of Artillery (Liverpool, 23)
Awarded on:
December 21st, 1944
Recommendation:
"At 0730 hrs on Saturday 8 Jul 44 Captain Laycock was acting as F.O.O. for "A" Coy S D & G Highlanders during their attack on Gruchy. In order to get observation he had to place himself in a tree. Soon after the start of the infantry advance the enemy subjected the area of the Tree O P to heavy shell and mortar fire. One of the first shells blew Capt Laycock out of his tree and he fell 25 feet into his carrier underneath, his fall being broken to a certain extent by branches.
Although Capt Laycock was considerably shaken by his fall and in spite of the fact that the area was still being subjected to accurate gun and mortar fire and that the tree offered no protection whatsoever Capt Laycock immediately returned to his position in the tree and remained there observing fire and reporting the progress of the attack until he was unable to observe any further owing to the attacking troops passing out of sight beyond a crest. Capt Laycock did not then descend from his tree until he had asked permission from his C.O."
Military Cross (MC)

Sources

  • - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35056 published on the 24 January 1941
    - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36850 published on the 19 December 1944
    - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 38042 published on the 8 August 1947
    - Christies

Photo