Henry Haig Jackson – Merchant Navy, M.V. San Emiliano

Greaser Henry Haig Jackson – Merchant Navy, M.V. San Emiliano

Early Life and Family Background

Henry Haig Jackson was born in 1919 in British Columbia, Canada, the son of Alfred Jackson and Alice Jackson.

1921 Census of Canada

The family is recorded on the 1921 Census of Canada, residing at 2153 Esplanade, Quartier Laurier–Outremont, Montreal. At that time Alfred, aged 34, was employed as a Plumber, while Alice, aged 26, was at home caring for their two young sons: Haig, aged 2, and Irving, aged 1.

1931 Census of Canada

By the time of the 1931 Census of Canada, the Jackson family had moved to 5980 St Urbain, Montreal. Alfred, now 44, continued in his trade as a Plumber, and Alice, aged 36, was mother to three children: Haig, 12; Earle, 8; and Ruth, 4. These census records trace the family’s settled life in Montreal during the interwar years.

Marriage and Life in Swansea

Merchant Seamen Deaths

In 1942, during the Second World War, Henry Haig Jackson married Mary Blodwen Hodges in Swansea. According to Merchant Seamen Deaths, Henry was residing at 51 King Edward’s Road, placing him firmly within the Swansea community at the time of his service.

Merchant Navy Service

M.V. San Emiliano

Henry served in the Merchant Navy as a Greaser aboard the tanker M.V. San Emiliano, operated by the Eagle Oil and Shipping Company. His duties placed him deep within the ship’s engine department, maintaining the essential machinery that powered the vessel through long and hazardous wartime voyages.

The Final Voyage of M.V. San Emiliano

The M.V. San Emiliano began her final voyage from Swansea on 29 April 1942, joining Convoy OS 27, a large formation of 48 merchant ships and 11 escorts bound for Freetown. Before reaching West Africa, the tanker detached from the convoy and proceeded independently to Curaçao, arriving on 27 May 1942. After loading petrol, she sailed in convoy to Trinidad on 29 May, then continued alone to Takoradi, where she arrived on 16 June.

Once unloaded, the vessel returned independently to Curaçao, arriving on 17 July, where she loaded high‑octane fuel. She departed for Trinidad on 29 July, arrived on 31 July, and on 6 August 1942 set sail independently for Cape Town, beginning what would be her final passage.

Attack and Sinking – 9 August 1942

On 9 August 1942, the San Emiliano was struck by two torpedoes fired by the German submarine U‑155. The explosions were catastrophic, igniting the volatile cargo and destroying the ship almost instantly. This tragedy is documented in the acclaimed series The World at War (“Wolf Pack: U‑Boats in the Atlantic 1939–1944”), which includes rare footage of survivors being rescued.

Of the 48 men aboard, only 8 survived. Henry Haig Jackson was among those who lost their lives in the attack.

Commemoration

Henry Haig Jackson
Halifax Memorial, Halifax
credit - findagrave

Halifax Memorial

Henry Haig Jackson is commemorated on the Halifax Memorial, Halifax, Nova Scotia, which honours Canadian Merchant Navy personnel who have no known grave but the sea. His name stands among those who served with courage and paid the ultimate price during the Battle of the Atlantic.