War museum mascot Scramble is the cat's whiskers

26 October 2025

Hsin-Yi LoSouth East

News image — Scramble, the mascot of the Kent Battle of Britain Museum, has a worldwide fanbase

Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust A black and white cat standing on the fuselage of a display warplane at a museum. — Scramble, the mascot of the Kent Battle of Britain Museum, has a worldwide fanbase

Scramble the cat, the mascot of the Kent Battle of Britain Museum, has a worldwide fanbase with some visitors saying they visit the museum purely to meet her.

The charming 12-year-old cat has captured the hearts of adoring followers since she became the mascot in May 2014.

Dave Brocklehurst, manager of the Hawkinge museum, in Folkestone, says Scramble is the boss and "believes everyone should be at her beck and call".

Scramble greets visitors at the entrance ensuring they have a "paw-sitive" time at the museum and tour guiding while keeping an eye on volunteers so they are not taking too many tea breaks.

Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust A black and white cat sitting in a woven basket inside a gift shop. She is surrounded by Battle of Britain-themed gifts. — Mr Brocklehurst says Scramble ensures the museum shop items are of "purr-fect" standards

As a testimony to Scramble's popularity, followers from countries including Australia, New Zealand, Kurdistan, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, USA, Canada and most of Europe have sent her cat treats.

Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust A black and white cat standing next to a box of cat treats. — Scramble has received cat treats and Christmas gifts from loyal followers from all over the world

"A few years ago, a German visitor arrived with his left-over fish and chips for her!" Mr Brockenhurst added.

He said Scramble also received Christmas gifts and Valentine's Day cards.

Both Scramble and Mr Brocklehurst live on site at the museum.

Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust A black and white cat standing on an ordnance which is in a museum display. There is another ordnance and a display German warplane. — Scramble supervising Mr Brocklehurst and other volunteers in their work

Mr Brocklehurst said Scramble was adopted from a cat sanctuary after she was found abandoned by rescuers.

He describes her as "great company" and "fairly loyal" until she discovers other volunteers have cat treats.

While Scramble enjoys basking in the affections of loyal followers, she takes great pride being the mascot of the museum which has the world's largest collection of Battle of Britain memorabilia.

Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust A man in a khaki baseball cap, wearing a navy blue coat and jumper, is standing next to a black and white cat. The cat is standing on its hindlegs on a desk ladened with magazines, books and stationary. — Scramble and Dave Brocklehurst, manager of the museum, campaigning to raise funds to purchase six rare sets of Battle of Britain medals in early 2025

Earlier this year, Scramble helped the museum's successful campaign to raise funds to purchase six rare sets of Battle of Britain medals.

She has taken part in the Poppy Appeal donations and the museum's other major projects.

This included organising and supervising the moving of the Heinkel aircraft, from its original display position, to its new position in 2023.

Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust A black and white cat standing on top of a large Heinkel aircraft which is on display on a field. — Scramble "supervising" museum volunteers in the moving of the Heinkel aircraft from its original display position to a new position back in 2023

Mr Brocklehurst added one of the moggy's favourite spots is the crash diorama of a Messerschmitt Bf 109 in the Lord Dowding Memorial Hangar, which is displayed on a field of soil.

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