The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-04-26

Mrs. Ernest Tansley of 4 Ayres street IS In receipt of 0 letter from relatives, who were not only eye- witnesses, but victims of the mur. derosis aerial bombardfnent of Cov- entry, England, by the NaA forces. Until Q few days ago Mrs. Tansley entertained at her home, Alec Les- ter, 19, q nephew, who Is a first class seaman in His Majestys navy and who has thrilling stories to re- late of his experiences. He has sailed under the Union Jack for three years. Ono of hls ships was sent to the bottom by @ floating German mine. On another occa- sion he was obliged to take to Q life boat when a NaSi "sub" sank his ship. '
 Mrs. Tansley Is Q former resident of Coventry, England. She came to the United States in 1928. The visit of her nephew marked their first meeting In l3 years.
 The Battle of the Atlantic upon whose outcome the destiny of Great Britain depends, appears to us in America like a huge releif map, spotted here and there with in- cident, but in the main e single, unified struggle between two pow CTS for mastery of the sea. Tn some instances the individual character of the battle has come to public attention. The sinking of the Athenia notably so. But for each sinking that makes the headlines there are innumerable others that receive only scant notice. The Br- tish Admiralty issues Q brief state. ment announcing that Q merchant vessel has been sunk, gives the name and tonnage, and the matter is thus disposed of. This happens with such regularity. that by now these announcements nave become commonplace, and the event no longer is invested with the excite ,nent that attended such occurrences in the early days of the war.
 To the individuals involved, now ever it's another story. For the men who sail the Atlantic bringing Sus- tenance to Great Britain 1t Is a story of vigilance, toll, and tragedy. Inconceivably they fight on against the ever-present menace of tne submarine, and yet manage to maintain a superb morale in the face of danger the more narrowing because It is unseen.
 MT. Lester has had the unique expereince of having two ships sunk under him, and what IS even more uliuue, survived both disasters 70, eether with the entire personnel of the crews. Tn the fate autumn of l940 MT. Lester was aboard Q vessel when 1t struck a mine ten miles off the British coast. T ne crew succeeded in escaping intact and made shore after Q hard ten- mile pull in hfe-boats. m.
 On his present voyage to Amer. ica. MT. Lester's boat was one or a group sailing in convoy. some. where on the high seas 1t was ny by a torpedo, and began to sink almost immediately. The members of the crew abandoned the vessel, and were picked up in entirety by the M. V. Orari. Some days later the convoy arrived in America, ana MT. Lester more disturbed over the loss of clothing and personal ne- longings than Joy his terrifying ex- pereince was granted a generous shore leave. ~ .,.
 When Nazis Struck
 MT. Lester was at home in Cov- entry during the ruinous bomhard- ment of that city last November i4th. Although his impressions Of that devastating air-raid are not available, Mrs. Tansley is in possess sion of a letter which describes what was probably the most vicious assault on Q civilian population in all history. It is srom Q niece of Mrs. TansIey's, who at the time of the raid was planning to be