A batch of letters written by a Sussex woman to relatives in Canada during the Second World War have resurfaced thanks to modern technology.

They have now provided the inspiration for a new book that offers a fascinating social history of wartime Sussex.

In an age when information can be exchanged across the world at the touch of a button, it is easy to forget that letter writing was once the staple form of communication.

Indeed, for pensioner Emilie Crane, putting pen to paper during wartime years was the only way she could keep pace with the lives of her cousins in Canada.

Her letters, all beautifully hand written, draw on her difficulties during the Second World War and the post-war years of austerity.

From the difficulties of rationing, to the fear of being bombed, the letters provide a glimpse of how conflict affected an ordinary woman in East Sussex.

Now, with the help of modern technology, almost 100 letters sent by Emilie to her cousins Marion and Beatrice have been rediscovered and published.

They were written between 1942 and 1955 while living in retirement at Lavender Cottage on The Ridge, Hastings, with her two friends, Clare and Edith, and James the cat.

The 60-year-old collection of private letters inspired Hastings-based author Victoria Seymour to compile a part-biography on Emilie.

Her 180-page book, called Letters from Lavender Cottage, details Emilie's lively domestic and personal life while living in the 1066 resort and charts the friends' lives in their autumn years.

But how Mrs Seymour, of Greville Road, Hastings, came to compile the book is almost as enchanting as the letters themselves.

On April 15 last year, an email was posted on a web site message board set up by Mrs Seymour about Hastings and St Leonards.

It was posted by Emilie's cousin Wendy Johnson, from Streetsville, Ontario, Canada, who was inquiring whether Lavender Cottage still existed.

Indeed it does but little was known about its previous inhabitants until Mrs Johnson's three-line message was posted online.

It read: "Does anyone know if the house Lavender Cottage, The Ridge, is still there? A cousin of mine lived there for years.

"I believe she died in 1955. We have many letters written to my aunt, who sent her parcels during the war and after, when supplies were short. They are an interesting account of that period. From Wendy Johnson, Canada."

It was a message that fired Mrs Seymour's imagination and she and Wendy were soon trading daily emails. Mrs Seymour, a retired language school director and mother-of-three, confirmed the cottage still existed, saying it was near her home in Ore Village, Hastings.

As their friendship developed, Wendy sent almost 100 photocopied letters Emilie had sent her aunt, plus photographs.

Mrs Seymour, 68, said: "When I first read the letters I was enthralled. I didn't want to put them down as I was so drawn in by them.

"I was particularly drawn to the domesticity of her life. It seemed to revolve around food, as it was so scarce during the war.

"I soon felt I knew Emilie well and felt as if I had actually met her. When the letters ended, I felt terrible that this lively, wonderful woman's life had come to an end.

"I knew the letters had to be published. I knew there was a fascinating story to tell but I didn't know how to bring it out. I showed them to my 25-year-old daughter-in-law, Angelique, and the questions from her came thick and fast."

Extensive research through libraries, newspaper cuttings and books followed as Mrs Seymour built up a fuller picture of Emilie's life. Eventually, Letters from Lavender Cottage was published.

The first letter, written when Emilie was aged 71 on June 9, 1942, thanks cousin Marion for sending her a parcel of scarce items and foods, such as bread, butter and oranges.

She also tells of the monotony of life during wartime and of being under threat of chemical attack.

It reads: "All the fats are so scarce and the food rations do not allow us much, so we shall now revel in nice bread and butter. As for oranges, the small consignment sent over is reserved for children under six, which is as it should be, therefore, we shall rejoice in the fruit juice.

"I'm very intrigued with the egg powder and shall try it at the first opportunity. I have scoured Hastings for a saucepan cleaner, how did you think of that?

"Soap and sugar are of course rationed strictly. I can get saccharine but I do not care much for it; such sickly stuff. The serviettes will be very useful as the paper shortage is acute. Hence the notepaper I am using, taken from some old volumes, from a period when they used better paper than they do now.

"My best thanks for everything and the kind thoughts that came with them. I do hope the above remarks do not sound as if we are in a bad way; it is only that things are in short supply but we all think that food distribution is better than in the Great War.

"We do miss some things, naturally, but we expect that in a terrible war. All day the fighters and bombers go over us on their way to France and Germany.

"They are Canadians, Americans, British, Polish, etc... We know they do some damage. We had two raids recently, they were not nice and there were a good many casualties.

"My friend's sister is an ambulance driver and she tells us some sad stories and said we have Canadian soldiers in our hospital here. Sadly, one died. I wish I could do more to help but one's age is against it.

"I took the first aid course and went to help in a First Aid Post but it was so damp I got pleurisy after three months and the doctor would not let me go there again.

"Each day is the repetition of another; planes overhead, air raid alerts and wireless news but everyone here is wonderfully cheerful and none doubt of ultimate victory."

Emilie's health waned considerably by the mid-Fifties and she died aged 85 in a nursing home in Hastings in 1955, outliving her two friends, Clare and Edith.

For her new project, Mrs Seymour is now seeking childhood and adolescent memories from people who grew up in Sussex.

Contact her on 01424 424981, via email at mail@victoriaseymour.com or via the web site at www.hastings.uk.net
Letters from Lavender Cottage is available from Hammicks bookshops; Olio bookshop; the Hastings Information Centre and via the web site.