After being rejected for war service on medical grounds, Nock travelled to England in 1919 and worked at Selfridges in London, and later at John Wanamaker & Co in New York.

[11][12][13] As Lord Mayor, Nock caused a degree of controversy when he agreed in June 1938 to make Sydney Town Hall available for a lecture series by Felix von Luckner, a German naval officer and yachtsman, who had links to the Nazi Party.

[14][15][16] Nock stood for a second term as Lord Mayor in December 1938 and, in a reflection of his appeal across party divisions, was again elected unanimously with the dual nominations from the Civic Reform and Labor aldermen, which was described as a first for the City of Sydney.

[17][18][19] Described as having "gained the friendship and esteem of all members of the council" and "very popular in business and State political circles", Nock was knighted in the 1939 Birthday Honours, which was conferred by the Governor-General of Australia, Lord Gowrie.

[20][21][22] As mayor on the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, Nock declared to the 1939 congress of the RSL that "We must fight desperately for what we believe to be democracy.

[33] Nock also served as member of the National Health and Medical Research Council from 1946 to 1969, president (1954–1969) of the NRMA, and a director of Qantas Empire Airways (1961–1966).