John Allford Cheston was born in Chelsea, Middlesex [now London], England in 1889 and was the son of the architect Horace Cheston (1850-1919). After studying at the Architectural Association Schools in London from 1907 and 1909, he was articled to Thomas Edward Collcutt (1840-1924) and Stanley Hinge Hamp (1877-1968) of Collcutt & Hinge from 1909 to 1911. He then worked as an assistant to his father and Joseph Craddock Perkin (1862?-1942) of Cheston & Perkin from 1911. He subsequently practised as an architect in London and was Surveyor to Bethlem Royal Hospital and Bridewell Royal Hospital.
He was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) in 1912 and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1919. His address was given as 3 Tudor Street, London in 1912 and 1926; Hampton Lea, Langley Park Road, Sutton, Surrey in 1911 and 1914; and 3 York Mansions, Battersea in 1930. He died in Battersea, Surrey [now London] on 24 July 1930
Additions to King Edward's Schools, Witley, and various residences and additions to banking and other business premises. Including those for the Westminster Bank, limited, and Messrs. Fullers, Limited. In conjunction with Horace Cheston: numerous public and domestic works, including new Operating Theatre and other Improvements at Bethlem Royal Hospital,London
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