A group of early photos in Mary Downing‘s collection depict a Fishing Party in Aberdeenshire. Mary spent time throughout the decade around 1900, with her Aunt Dolly Crombie (nee Florence Showell) at her Scottish Estate at Parkhill House, Dyce. These photos are the only few where she identifies her grandfather, Walter Showell, the Oldbury brewer who was to die in 1901. As such they are the only surviving likenesses of him.
She also identifies one figure as Uncle James. This would be James Edward Crombie, her Aunt Dolly’s husband. By extension we can speculate on other members of the party. They are Walter Showell, his son Walter Showell (junior) and his two sons-in-law William Edmund Downing and James Crombie (the host). Mary Downing, herself was clearly present as the photographer.
Possibly Uncle James (James Crombie), Fishing party, Parkhill, Dyce, c.1898
