John Charles Preston Besford, OBE (30 January 1911 – 26 February 1993) was an English competitive swimmer who represented Great Britain in the Olympics and European championships, and England in the British Empire games, during the 1930s.

He won the bronze medal for England at the 1930 British Empire Games and silver at the 1934 British Empire Games in London, both in the 100-yard backstroke event.

In 1934 he was also a member of the English team which won the bronze medal in the medley relay contest.

Besford also competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics where he finished sixth in the 100-metre backstroke.

He later spent time in Yokohama, Japan, before returning to the UK to operate a dental practice in Brighton.