Rear Admiral Keith Michael (‘Mike’) Saull CB

Mike Saull trained at HMS Conway from 1943 to 1945 and joined the Royal Navy in 1945. He served in HMS Duke of York and HMS Black Swan in the Far East. He later served in Palestine in the lead up to handover. He commanded a number of MFV’s and ML’s and was Mentioned in Despatches

He transferred to the RNZN in 1951. On arrival in New Zealand he joined  HMNZS Taupo and immediately deployed to Korea. He completed the Long Gunnery course in 1953/54. 

He commanded HMNZS Kaniere in 1958 and in 1965/66 HMNZS Taranaki  He was the first Commanding Officer of HMNZS Canterbury in 1971. Promoted Captain he was Naval Attache in Washington from 1973 to 1975 and in  1976 attended RCDS.

He was Deputy Chief of Naval Staff in 1977 and Commodore Auckland from 1978 to 1980. He was promoted Rear Admiral in 1980 and was Chief of Naval Staff until he retired in 1983. 

At the time of the Falklands War the Prime Minister Robert Muldoon asked the Defence Chiefs what New Zealand could do to assist. Admiral Saull recommended making an RNZN Frigate available to relieve other RN ships for deployment to the South Atlantic. This became a two-year commitment to the Armilla Patrol        

In retirement he was Chairman the New Zealand Ports Authority, Vice Patron of the New Zealand Coast Guard and was Patron of the Ex-Royal Naval Men’s Association.