"I JUST wish my father could be here to see it."

The words of a Cleethorpes-born woman, who travelled 10,000 miles to pay homage to her grandfather, who was killed serving with the Royal Naval Patrol Service (RNPS) during the Second World War.

Not FORGOTTEN: Relatives of war victim Arthur Baker pay their respects to him at the Royal Naval Patrol Service Memorial at Grimsby Docks. From left, Tom Walkley, veteran, Tony Baker, son, Robert Matte, Doris Baker, daughter-in- law, and Michelle Matte, granddaughter. Picture: Abby Ruston

Michelle Matte (nee Baker), 53, was returning to the place of her birth for the first time since she emigrated to Australia more than 40 years ago.

During her stay, Michelle and her husband Robert, 58, made an emotional visit to Grimsby Docks to see the Royal Naval Patrol Service Memorial on which her grandfather's name is inscribed.

Arthur Baker was killed in 1942 when the ship he was on was torpedoed by a German submarine.

He is one of 2,385 servicemen commemorated on the memorial, which was unveiled in 2001.

It stands as a tribute to the men of the RNPS who lost their lives while clearing the sea of mines to keep the Humber ports open during both world wars.

Michelle, a former Bursar Street School pupil, said: "My dad had talked about his father and what had happened.

"He said he was one of the youngest skippers ever to sail out of Grimsby on the trawlers."

Michelle had wanted to visit the memorial ever since being told about it by her uncle and aunt Tony and Doris Baker of Humberston.

Her great-uncle Henry James Jerome is also commemorated on the statue.

Michelle said: "When the memorial was put up, Uncle Tony and Aunt Doris sent a photograph of it to Australia.

"It's been very emotional to see it. I just wish my father could be here to see it."

Tony, 71, was only three-years-old when his father was lost at sea.

He said: "We have found out a lot about the ship. I've got it marked on a map where it was sunk.

"The memorial is beautiful. It's so important to remember those that gave their lives.

"We would be under the jackboot if it wasn't for them."

The family's visit to the memorial was organised by RNPS veteran Tom Walkley, 88, of Caistor, who said: "I served between 1939 and 1946, and there are two people named on the memorial who I went to school with."