Scramble, the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Cat

Scramble, the black-and-white cat of the Kent Battle of Britain Museum, sitting on an aircraft

Photo: Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust

October 15, 2026

Scramble, the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Cat

For 12 years, a rescue cat helped run a museum dedicated to the Battle of Britain. At least, that's how she saw it.

At the Kent Battle of Britain Museum in Hawkinge, England, people came to see historic aircraft, wartime artifacts, and one pretty special staff member. Her name was Scramble, a black-and-white cat who made herself at home there and took her job seriously. According to museum chairman Dave Brocklehurst, Scramble was basically the boss and "believes everyone should be at her beck and call." Some visitors even admitted they came just to see her.

A new recruit

Scramble arrived in May 2014 after being adopted from Rhodes Minnis Cat Sanctuary near Canterbury. She was found abandoned, and Dave's parents arranged the adoption as a birthday present for him. Dave lived on the museum grounds, and Scramble quickly settled in and made herself at home.

She became the museum's official mascot, greeting visitors at the entrance, keeping an eye on volunteers and making regular inspections of the museum shop. Sometimes, she even took on bigger tasks.

Scramble with Gate Guardian Hurricanes in the background. Photo: Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust

In 2023, when volunteers moved a Heinkel aircraft to a new position on the museum grounds, Scramble was photographed standing on top of it, apparently supervising the whole thing. She also had a favorite spot inside the Lord Dowding Memorial Hangar, and she really liked a crash diorama of a Messerschmitt Bf 109, complete with soil that seemed perfect for her.

Scramble standing on a Hawker Hurricane. Photo: Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust

The boss of the museum

Scramble's reputation eventually spread far beyond Kent, with people sending her treats, Christmas gifts, and Valentine's cards from around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Brazil, and Chile.

One German visitor even brought his leftover fish and chips just for her. Dave described Scramble as "great company" and "fairly loyal," though she'd happily switch her loyalty if another volunteer showed up with cat treats.

Scramble and Dave Photo: Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust

She also got involved in the museum's public events, appeared in fundraising campaigns, supported the annual Poppy Appeal, and joined Dave to raise funds for six rare Battle of Britain aircrew medal sets in 2025.

In October 2025, her fame caught the BBC’s attention, which featured the museum's beloved resident cat and her international fanbase. By then, Scramble had already been a part of the museum for over a decade.

Scramble's last summer

In early August 2026, Scramble started having some serious health issues. At first, the museum said she was diagnosed with diabetes, but after more tests, they found out she had other health problems too.

Scramble passed away on August 7, 2026, after Dave and her vet team decided she couldn't recover. According to the museum, Scramble was laid to rest under the Spirit of the Few monument on the museum grounds, not far from the planes and exhibits she loved exploring for so many years. Dave remembered her as "one in a million."

For 12 years, Scramble was the museum's friendly face, greeting visitors, checking out the displays, and helping to raise funds for the collections. She also made sure everyone who showed up with cat treats knew who was really in charge.

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