The son of Isaac Herbert Jeayes, who worked on the archival staff of the British Museum (Assistant Keeper in the Department of Manuscripts). Allan gave up farming life for a career on the stage in 1906. He appeared in films from 1918, his deep voice featuring prominently in authoritarian roles, often as police officers, aristocratic lords, generals and judges. He is chiefly remembered for several strong performances in films of Alexander Korda between 1934 and 1940.
