Tributes have poured in from around the world, for an 81-year-old man that has died from Covid-19.

Allan Davis-Johnston, from Cockermouth, died on March 28, after contracting coronavirus.

In recent years, Allan has been very active in the Cockermouth community as chairman of the U3A, singing in choirs, painting watercolours and oils, volunteering at the Kirkgate Centre and as a member of CAMRA. A great lover of ‘a decent pint,’ Allan was a regular fixture in The Swan, Bitter End, Cock and Bull and Castle Bar.

He was active until the very end and Allan's family and friends have been robbed of a respected, kind and generous man, who they will miss greatly.

Born in Marylebone Hospital, London, in the sound of Bow Bells, in July 1938, to Mary Carruthers of Westnewton, Cumbria, and Charles Davis of St Austell, Cornwall, Allan was born and lived in London until the age of 15, when he and his mother moved to Whitehaven to escape the air pollution that blighted the capital.

His first job was as a projectionist at the Queen’s Theatre in Whitehaven, and this love of cinema stayed with him throughout his life, volunteering as a projectionist at the Kirkgate Centre in Cockermouth in recent years.

For his National Service, Allan volunteered as a Bevan Boy in Haig Pit, but after being trapped during a cave in, he decided to serve the rest of his National Service in the Border Regiment, reaching the rank of Sergeant.

Whilst posted in Berlin during his National Service in the Border Regiment, Allan was sent to Spandau Prison where he guarded the infamous Nazi deputy leader, Rudolf Hess.

At the end of his National Service, Allan met Brenda, whilst on an army training exercise at St David’s in Wales. Penrith born Brenda was in the women’s auxiliary service. After this chance meeting, they were split up and returned to barracks, but fate worked in their favour after both being billeted to Catterick Garrison where their love blossomed.

Allan and Brenda were married on March 30 1961, in Penrith, and moved to Whitehaven to start a family. They raised two sons, Paul and Ian, before moving to Cockermouth in November 1978.

He worked in telecommunications for 30 years, meeting one of his very best friends there, John Nicholson.

He was a trade unionist and a workplace rep in the GPO, which ignited a love of politics. Allan served as a Labour councillor on Whitehaven District Council until it was subsumed into Copeland Council in 1974 and he was a former chairman of Copeland Constituency Labour party.

His proudest achievement as a councillor was leading the committee that built Distington Hall Crematorium, which will be where his funeral will be held, with only immediate family present.

A keen caravanner, Allan and Brenda loved to travel, and in their retirement were wardens at caravan sites in Inverness, Devon, the Isle of Wight and Wiltshire.

Their adventures took them across the globe, with many fascinating stories brought back and lasting friendships forged with fellow travellers. After Brenda passed away in July 1999, Allan continued the adventures abroad, visiting the places that he planned to with her.

Allan is survived by his sons, Paul and Ian, daughters-in-law, Eleanor and Sallie, grandchildren Adrian, Linzi, Scott and Ryan, great-grandchildren Aimee, Lexie, Owen, Chloe, Quinn, Teddy, Raffie and Ronnie, and siblings Lynn, Trixie and Tommy.

A celebration of Allan’s life will be arranged after current restrictions are lifted.