F/O Cock was born in Renmark, South Australia, on 3rd March 1918.
In March 1938 he joined the RAF on a short service commission.
He was with 87 Squadron in France, and in early April he destroyed a He 111.
On 27th July he claimed a probable He 111 destroyed.
On 11th August he destroyed a Ju 88 and claimed a Bf 109 damaged. After this encounter he was shot down by enemy fighters off Portland Bill. His engine was on fire and he turned his Hurricane (V7233) onto its back and baled out with slight injuries.
On 3rd September he was promoted to Flying Officer.
On 30th September he claimed a Ju 88 destroyed.
On 24th October, during a routine patrol, John collided with P/O D. T. Jay. Jay was killed and John made a forced landing, with severely damaged tail surfaces.

On 25th October 1940, John, accompanied by his wife and his mother, went to Buckingham Palace to be awarded the DFC.

In September 1941 he was posted to 9 FTS as an instructor.

On 18th June 1942 he was posted to Drem to join 453 Squadron as a Flight Commander at its reformation.
Following a short attachment to 222 Squadron at Ayr in November, he returned to Australia in December.

In May 1943 John joined 54 Squadron at Darwin, as a supernumerary.

He returned to the UK in 1944 and was released from the RAF in 1948 as a Squadron Leader.

John Cock passed away on 29th August 1988.