Bomber jacket, worn by a Royal Air Force fighter pilot, Percy ‘Peter’ Ware, during the Second World War. Ware flew the Spitfire RN-D, object number 1954-659.

Ware was a fighter pilot in the RAF during the Second World War, joining up at the age of 17 in 1941. He served in the 72nd and 130th squadrons, mostly in North Africa and Italy. During his time in the 72nd squadron, he trained on Spitfire RN-D (P.9444), the aircraft displayed for many years in the Aeronautics and Flight Galleries of the Science Museum. His leather jacket is typical of a type worn by RAF fighter pilots at this time. His main locations of service as recalled by his family were Italy and North Africa. Ware also flew the RAF Film Unit, whist not on active service. When joining up for the RAF he said he played cricket for Surrey Colt and he was assigned to fighter aircraft. His life long friend joined up on the same day, told the recruiting officers he played football and was assigned to bomber aircraft! Both young men were from Battersea and Ware recalled once flying a Spitfire that had been made at the Battersea munitions factory.