Allen, Donald Calvin “Don”

Don Allen was born on April 22, 1922 in Princeton, BC. He was the son of George Calvin Allen and Oriel Zeba (Meausette) Allen. He married Joan Maysey Cottee in England in July 1945. He died on November 16, 1969, in Salmo, BC.

Allen was thirteen when, in July 1935, he hiked over the Hope Trail with a small group of adults and boys. He carried a 25 pound pack (contents).

In April 1939, he was chosen to act as president of the newly formed Princeton School Band. He was awarded a fine arts award and a athletic award in June 1939.  He was also active in theatre (1936) and, in June 1940, he was given a full junior matriculation rating, meaning that he did not have to sit for exams.

He belonged to the Princeton Ski Club and competed in jumping 1936, 1937.

He led the crow and magpie derby (Princeton Fish, Game and Forest Protective Association) with 27 birds in August 1940. 

In March 1941, he was working as an assayer’s assistant at Copper Mountain. 

He enlisted and was required to report for duty in August 1941. In late 1942, his name was added to the Elks Smoke Fund list. At that time, he was serving as a Pilot Officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He spent Christmas 1944 in a hospital in Sicily recovering from jaundice.

After serving, he went to the University of British Columbia (September 1945) to study science. He undertook a five-year degree in chemical engineering. 

He was home and skiing at the Amber Ski Hill over Christmas  1946.

He was on the honour roll of the Amber Ski Club Senior Members Serving King and Country (1945).