The chemistry of metal complexes has fascinated and inspired the chemist all over the world. Among the chelating ligand, Schiff base have attracted the attention of the chemist due to the ease of the preparation and complexation. Schiff base complexes have remained an important and popular area of research due to their simple synthesis versatility and diverse range of applications. Schiff bases are able to stabilize many different metals in various oxidation states. In the present study the Schiff base of 1-(5-chloro-2-hydroxy-4-methylphenyl) ethanone with 4-(2-aminoethyl)phenol has been synthesized. The complexes of this Schiff base ligand have been synthesized by using Mn(II),  Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions under refluxed in ethanol. These compounds have been investigated by elemental analysis, infra-red, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, diffuse reflectance spectroscopic techniques and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The free ligand and their metal complexes have been screened in vitro for their antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria S. aureus, gram negative bacteria, E. coli, S. typhi and fungi P. notatum and R. oligosporus.