John Cockburn
Scottish test pilot
About John Cockburn
Lived 1937 – 2017 (aged 79). John Cockburn was a British test pilot.
John Jeremy Cockburn OBE (14 October 1937 – 3 April 2017) was a Scottish test pilot known for his flights in the English Electric Lightning.
Early life John Cockburn was born on 14 October 1937 at Greenlaw, Berwickshire, the son of a farmer. He was educated at the Loretto School, Musselbrough. He was a keen horseman, his uncle was the trainer Stewart Wright, and he won the Berwickshire point-to-point steeplechase in 1960 and 1964.
Marriage In 1964 he married Amy Thompson, known as Judy, after they met water-skiing at Hoselaw Loch. They had a son and two daughters.
Career
Death Cockburn died on 3 April 2017. He was survived by his wife and children. He received obituaries in The Times, The Daily Telegraph, and The Scotsman.
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Important facts
People in John Cockburn's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Cockburn's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Cockburn?
Scottish test pilot
When was John Cockburn born?
John Cockburn was born on 14 October 1937.
When did John Cockburn die?
John Cockburn died on 3 April 2017.
What was John Cockburn's occupation?
John Cockburn was a test pilot.
What nationality was John Cockburn?
John Cockburn was British.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John Cockburn (test pilot)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Cockburn. https://biography.guide/john-cockburn-test-pilot/
MLA: "John Cockburn." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-cockburn-test-pilot/.
Chicago: "John Cockburn." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-cockburn-test-pilot/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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