Major-General John Talbot Coke (1841–1912) of Trusley in South Derbyshire was a British Army officer who served in the 25th Foot (King's Own Scottish Borderers) between 1859 and 1901.

He was a Brigade Commander during the Second Boer War having a prominent role in the battles of Spion Kop and the Tugela Heights during the relief of Ladysmith.

By 1888, now a Colonel he was second in command of the King's Own Scottish Borderers in the Sudan and took part in the one sided victory at Suakin for which he was Mentioned in Despatches gaining both the Khedive's Star and a 3rd class Medjidie.

Sir Redvers Buller now devised a plan to launch a two pronged offensive across the Tugela River and therefore ordered General Warren to lead the main force across at Trichardt's drift and attack the Boer right flank however, when they did cross (almost a week later) Warren quickly realised he would not get far unless they could take and hold the summit of a commanding position called Spion Kop.

Warren sent Coke's brigade to reinforce the position but was ordered by Buller to put Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Thorneycroft in command of the summit.