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.

John Cockburn (test pilot)

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.

John Cockburn (test pilot)

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.

John Cockburn (test pilot)

References

1937 births

2017 deaths

People from Berwickshire

Scottish test pilots

Members of the Order of the British Empire

People educated at Loretto School, Musselburgh

John