Diss: Relative of Julian Fellowes search for missing painting

Roella Trudgill, of Diss, is searching for a painting of her grandmother, Lady Ella Mary MaCrae, which she believes was sold in error after being entrusted to her mother for safekeeping.

The daughter of a MacRae clan chief, who owned Eilean Donan castle in the Scottish Highlands, Lady Ella Mary was just three when her portrait was painted.

She married Sir Edward Fellowes - a decorated First World War veteran who held the post of clerk to the House of Commons between 1954 to 1961 – at a ceremony at Westminster in 1921.

The childhood portrait of Lady Ella Mary remained in the family until March 2017. It had been gifted to Mrs Trudgill, 66, on her 18th birthday.

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“Unfortunately, my mother had the painting sold at auction,” Mrs Trudgill said. 

“We hadn’t realised at the time, but she had begun to show signs of dementia and must have sold the piece in error.” 

It was only after her mother’s death in 2020 that Mrs Trudgill realised the painting was gone.

She added: “I found the receipt when we were clearing through her paperwork following her passing.

"It sold for £110 and I would buy it back for £125 if offered. 

"Although it is a lovely looking piece, it's the sentimental value that is important to me. I would love to get it back."

Mrs Tudgill’s cousin, Julian Fellowes has also been tracking down Fellowes family paintings that were sold at Sotheby's and Christie's in the early 1970s. 

Auctioneers TW Gaze, of Diss, reached out to the original seller of the painting, but said they no longer have the painting as they bought it for the frame.