• Operation Albumen

Date of birth:

1912

Service number:

50892

Nationality:

British

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Kealy served in No.8 Commando and Layforce. In July 1942, he was a Major, serving with 1st Special Service Regiment. He later commanded No.1 S.B.S. Middle East after the departure of Major R.J. Courtney M.C.

During Operation Albumen he landed on Crete to sabotage the Maleme aerodrome, but he was unable to complete the mission due to the strong defenses of the military complex.

Kealy returned to the UK on 28 July 1943. He became a Senior Officer in command of the newly formed 'A' and 'B' Special Boat Groups, 2 Special Boat Section. Kealy embarked embarked with Unit for Supreme Allied Command, South East Asia (S.A.C.S.E.A.) on 10 January 1944.

He retired on 16 July 1949 and ceased to belong to the reserve officers list due to the age limit per 28 January 1962.

Promotions:
1 July 1946: Major
16 July 1949: Honorary Lieutenant Colonel

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Major

Unit:

Special Boat Section, Special Boat Service (SBS), Admiralty, British Government

Awarded on:

November 15th, 1945

Recommendation:
"This Officer has been employed as Officer Commanding, Special Boat Section, S.E.A. from the time of its transfer to this command. Despite considerable dispersion and the independant nature of its three groups, he has excercised good control and maintained a hight esprit de corps and fine fighting spirit in them. His judgement has been sound, he has the knack of getting things done without fuss. He is thoroughly respected and liked by all his officers and men. The attached extract from the relevant raport indicate that he displays coolness and personal bravery when fighting comes his way, although he has no operational command."

In the margin: [Forwarded. I am not personally acquainted with this officer and have no detailed knowledge of the nature of his duties, and am therefore unable to remark usefully."]

Periodical award.
Originally recommended for a Military Cross but downgraded to a MiD.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Major

Unit:

A' and 'B' Special Boat Groups, 2 Special Boat Section, Special Boat Service (SBS), Admiralty, British Government

Awarded on:

January 10th, 1946

• - Recommendation for Award for Kealy, Michael Robert Bayley Rank: Sub Captain,... | The National Archives
  - The London Gazette 1945
  - The London Gazette 1949
  - The London Gazette 1962
  - The London Gazette 1946
  - The London Gazette 1946 (promotion)
  - The London Gazette 1938

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Airfield Maleme

Maleme - Kriti

Operation Albumen