B. Bromilow-Downing

B. Bromilow-Downing (1912-1980) was a leading medical practitioner and academic, and an amateur theatre maker.

Biography

Born in 1912, he was educated at Grey High School, Port Elizabeth and then at the University o f C ape T ow n w here he graduated M .B ., C h.B. H e spent three years in general practice in the South W estern D istricts before joinin g the South African M edical C orps at the outbreak o f war. H e saw service in the W estern D eseit and w as D eputy A ssistant D irector o f M edical Services to the Second South A frican D ivision in Tobruk. O n return to the U nion after the cessation o f hostilities he com m anded the m ilitary section o f the Johannesburg G eneral H ospital. O n dem obilisation he assum ed duty as a m edical superintendent o f the Frere H ospital, East L ondon. W hile in East L ondon he interested him self in the training o f personnel in professions supplem entary to m edicine.

During his student years in the late 1920’sand early 1930’s, he exhibited clear leadership qualities, inter alia serving as a member of the Men's Residence House Committee, convener of the Hospital Rag and cheerleader at intervarsity.

During World War II he was second in command of the 17th Field Ambulance in the Western Desert, until taken a prisoner of war at Tobruk in 1942. In the prisoner of war camp in Germany, he played a large role in efforts to keep the morale of the troops up. Among other things, the young East London soldier passed the hours writing a pantomime - a process would later lead to his inspiring involvement in theatre in East London.

On his return he took up a position as superintendent of the Frere Hospital in East London, where he became involved in local amateur dramatics and was to be the moving force in establishing the East London Guild Theatre.

From 1958 to 1977 Professor Bromilow-Downing was the Dean of the Medical Faculty and Professor of Medical Education at the University of Cape Town. In this period he held numerous positions in the medical field and broader society, among them being President of the South African Society of Physiotherapy.

He passed away in in Cape Town in 1980, leaving his wife Nan. The couple had two children, theatre photographer Pat Bromilow-Downing [1] and a daughter, Lynne.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

While a student he was an active member of the university dramatic society, and after the war, while he was superintendent of the Frere Hospital in East London, he was the moving force responsible for establishing the East London Guild Theatre, for which he produced the pantomimes, usually writing the libretto himself, in conjunction with his friend, Arthur Marks, who provided the music.