Norman McDade, who prefers to go by the name Mac, joined the Royal Navy aged 17 in 1978 and trained as a chef.

Four years later, in April 1982, Mac spent weeks at sea aboard the HMS Plymouth fighting in the South Atlantic conflict.

Despite the ship being hit and bombed multiple times, all the crew miraculously survived the 74-day long battle.

The horrors of the Falklands War have affected many however Mac has been luckier than most in escaping post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition common to those who have fought in war, and which many of his comrades who survived live with today.

He said he believes this is down to him being stationed on the upper deck of the ship, so that he could see what was going on around him.

“I think a lot of people down below decks who couldn’t see what’s going on and just heard all these jets making horrendous noises over head made a lot of people suffer after,” he said.  “I was grateful to be on the upper deck, and I didn’t have to do any hand-to-hand fighting because I was at sea.”

HMS Plymouth was one of the first Royal Navy ships to arrive in the South Atlantic for the war, along with the HMS Antrim and Brilliant.

On April 25, she took part in Operation Paraquet, the recapture of South Georgia.

Later that day, the Plymouth sailed with Endurance to Leith Harbour, which was still held by the Argentines.

The next day the garrison commander, Lieutenant commander Alfredo Astiz, signed the surrender in Plymouth’s wardroom.

The Plymouth was badly hit by Argentine fighter jets on June 8, a day that Mac said he and many others will never forget.

It was hit by four 1000lb bombs which miraculously did not explode, but caused significant damage.

Repairs were carried out through the night and the next day, restoring some of the ship’s capabilities, but it was not enough, leading to the Plymouth having to withdraw to a repair area.

She then returned to shore bombardment duties on June 14, when Argentine forces in the Falklands surrendered.

Mac, who spent nine years in the Navy, has close ties with Erskine Veterans Charity.  The organisation offers various activities, including art workshops, at the Erskine Veterans Village.

Mac, who lives in Erskine, uses art as a means of coping with difficult experiences in his past.

“I think art is very therapeutic, even if it’s just to keep your mind off your day job,” he said.

“It’s something that I am quite interested in, and it does help me remember my experiences more and deal with things.”

Some of Mac’s artwork will be on display in the charity’s annual Art Of Erskine exhibition this year, particularly paintings he has done on scenes of the Falklands War.

He also donated some of his paintings to the charity’s Art For Erskine auction, all of which were sold.

To find out more about Erskine’s work please visit our website at www.erskine.org.uk, follow on twitter @ErskineCharity via Facebook www.facebook.com/ErskineVeteransCharity or listen to Erskine Veterans Radio at Erskine.org.uk/radio or Paisley FM 107.5

To donate directly to Erskine, please visit Erskine.org.uk/donate