John Thornton (athlete)

John St. Ledger Thornton (6 June 1911 – 18 August 1944) was a British hurdler. He competed in the men's 110 metres hurdles at the 1936 Summer Olympics. He was killed in action during World War II.

Personal life
Thornton served as a major in the Seaforth Highlanders during the Second World War. He served at El Alamein and in the Sicily Campaign, and was killed in action on 18 August 1944 during the Battle of Normandy. Thornton is buried at Banneville-la-Campagne War Cemetery.