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."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)