NEWS the last hotel in Frinton could be converted into holiday apartments has prompted a look back at the prominent building’s history.

And the important part it played in the Great War.

The Rock Hotel, close to the Esplanade, dates back to 1895 explains historian Heather Johnson, and has an interesting past, not least because it was one of at least four properties in the seaside town to take in wounded or sick soldiers at the outbreak of the First World War. As a result, it became known as the Rock Red Cross Hospital.

Heather explains: “The other known properties were the Recess on St Mary’s Road, known as Frinton Voluntary Military Hospital, Turret Lodge on the Esplanade and the Frinton-on-Sea Officers Disabled Home but its whereabouts are unknown.”

She explains the building had three floors and a basement and was immediately offered for use as a hospital by Florence Turner, who owned the hotel at the time, probably with her husband.

“At her personal expense, Florence equipped the hospital and opened it on September 3, 1914,” she said.

“A surviving British Red Cross hospital card records the hospital had a capacity of between 15 and 17 beds.

“Evidence points to the hospital being operational until end of June 1916.”

Heather has discovered Florence, who was from a well-off family, was born in 1879, in Camden Town, London.

Florence took the post of Commandant and Matron – it often happened that the lady of the house would fill such a position and the Rock was no exception.

The Rock Hotel, as it is today, opened in 1978 and is run by the Benmore family.

Plans have recently been submitted to Tendring Council by its current owners to convert the Rock into eight holiday apartments but it is continuing to trade as normal.

Frinton itself has long enjoyed a reputation as a quality seaside resort and in the first half of the 20th century, the town attracted big-name visitors and boasted high-class hotels along the Esplanade.

The Prince of Wales frequented the golf club, while Winston Churchill rented a house in the town and in 1951 the Walton and Frinton Guide Book described it as the most exclusive seaside resort in Britain. Today beach huts along the seafront can sell for up to £40,000.