John Cock served in Britain鈥檚 RAF and took part in the evacuation of Dunkirk, the Chronicle reporting he returned to England 鈥榠n an old uniform minus trousers鈥�. Cock had a second encounter with the English Channel when the plane he was piloting was shot down, forcing him to swim ashore.
Squadron Leader Cock was a member of what was known as the Caterpillar Club, the worm being the source of parachute silk. Personnel who survived bailing out from an aircraft were eligible for membership of this unique organisation, wearing a golden caterpillar pin to signify this.
He later served as a fighter tactics training instructor.