TWO bomber crew members have told of their dramatic experiences in the Second World War as an RAF charity prepares to take its appeal on to the streets of York.

Former pilot Mac Mathieson, now 89, of Riccall, who flew a variety of aircraft with squadrons in Coastal Command, suffered severe facial injuries when the windscreen of his Lancaster shattered.

He became one of the famous “guinea pigs” who were given pioneering plastic surgery by Sir Archibald McIndoe.

Former flight engineer Norman Berryman, now 88, of Heworth, completed a tour of 32 operations over enemy territory, with his very first op being to Berlin, a particularly dangerous target normally allocated to more experienced aircrew.

The pair, both members of the York branch of the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA), spoke out in support of its Wings Appeal, which raises funds to provide welfare and support to members of the RAF and their families past and present, in times of hardship.

Last year alone, RAFA welfare officers supported thousands of members of the “RAF family” through more than 50,000 welfare visits and calls, and ensured 3,000 veterans could take a much-needed break in one of the three RAFA respite care homes.

Norman told how he was very fortunate to have completed an entire tour of 32 ops in 1944 unscathed.

He said: “You could count on coming across ack-ack (anti-aircraft fire) on every op, but it was very, very heavy over the Ruhr.”

He said German fighters attacked on two or three occasions, but his skipper was a strong man who swiftly made the plane weave to avoid being hit.

Mac said he also survived his tour uninjured, but was later flying over Britain when a bird was thought to have struck and shattered his Perspex windscreen, which then smashed him in the face.

“I lost the sight in one eye and was left with partial sight in the other, but I would have been left looking horrible – or even more horrible! – if it hadn’t been for McIndoe,” he said.

He said the surgeon moved flesh from one side of his face to the other, badly damaged side.

“I had about 12 operations over about 18 months,” Mac said.

• Wings Appeal collectors will be at York railway station from Monday, September 12, to Wednesday, September 14, and in York city centre on Saturday September 17.