The practice of towns supporting the crews of aircraft and ships during the Second World War is well known.

A Spitfire which took part in the conflict was named City of Oxford and the city also adopted the cruiser, HMS Enterprise.

Now historian Peter Smith, of Arthur Street, Osney, has uncovered details of a Bristol fighter plane having Oxford connections during the First World War. It carried the name of Minty, the famous Oxford furniture store.

Minty was a household name in the furnishing world for more than a century. It gained a reputation for quality and comfort and exported all over the world.

The firm’s founder, Norman Minty, opened a shop at 45 High Street in 1880. Increasing business led to the purchase of 44 High Street and later the shop was enlarged by the removal of the workshop to Cherwell Street, St Clement’s.

One of its most popular products was the Varsity wicker chair, which quickly became a ‘must have’ item at home and overseas. It was said that every undergraduate bought one.

During the First World War, workers made canvas goods for the armed forces, including stretchers and tents.

In the Second World War, the factory was turned over to war work again and produced tents, aircraft covers, mobile repair units and various items of wooden equipment.

The firm continued until 1992 when it was sold for £1.1m to rival Cornwell Parker.

There are no clues as to why Minty chose to support the Bristol fighter in the First World War, how the plane performed or what happened to it.

But Oxford citizens were justly proud of the distinguished service HMS Enterprise, an E-class cruiser launched on the Clyde in 1919, gave nearly 30 years later.

She took part in the naval victory in the Bay of Biscay when the Allied fleet overcame a superior force of German warships in what became known as the Battle of the Bay.

She also played her part in the Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day, shelling the shore batteries at Cherbourg in support of the troops going on to the beaches.

The ship’s bell is now in the custody of Oxford Town Hall, although no-one appears to know its present whereabouts.

The City of Oxford Spitfire was bought for the Royal Air Force with money raised by the City of Oxford Fighter Fund.