John Cocker [also known as John Cocker, jnr.] was born in Tyldesley near Leigh, Lancashire, England in 1883. He was articled to John Thomas Ashton (1859-1910) of Goulder & Ashton from 1899 to 1904 and remained with the practice for a further year as their assistant. During these years Cocker attended the municipal Schools of Art and Technology in Manchester.
Cocker qualified as an architect in 1905 and was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) in 1906. He commenced independent practice as an architect in Altringham in 1906. From 1912 to 1918 he collaborated with Thomas Harold Hill, (1884-?) although they appear not to have had a formal partnership. Later Cocker’s son, John Charles Cocker (1921-1994), joined his father in partnership.
John Cocker's address was given as "Oakwood", Park Road, Cheshire. Timperley, Cheshire 1902 and 1914; Stamford Chambers. Stamford New Road, Altringham, Cheshire in 1906; Mossburn Buildings, Stamford New Road, Altrincham in 1910; and Beech Holme, Woodlands Park, Timperley, Cheshire. in 1923 and 1939. He died in Altringham on 14 August 1960.
Most of the work by Cocker's practice was in the Altringham area and included Saint Alban's Vicarage in Lindsell Road, Altrincham (1914); Ringway and Hale Barns War Memorial in Hale Barns (1920-21); an extension to Altringham Public Library and various church halls and private houses (1927); New Stamford Hall in Altrincham (1937-40); and various church halls and private houses. The influence of the Middleton architect Edgar Wood (1860-1935) has been detected in Cocker's work.
Armstrong, Barrie and Armstrong, Wendy. The Arts and Crafts movement in the North West of England: a handbook. Wetherby, England: Oblong Creative Ltd., 2006
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 1: A-K. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001
‘Obituary’. The Builder vol. 199, 2 September 1960 p. 434