Bill Bramwell(1922-1968)

Born in Wales in 1922, jazz guitarist Roger Bramwell always liked to be called "Bill." He began playing guitar in the RAF band while stationed in Malta, then after demobilization worked for many bandleaders, including Freddy Randall, Carlo Krahmer and Reg Wale. In 1948 he moved to South Africa to play a residency in Cape Town, then returned to England in 1950 to play in London night clubs, followed by a spell aboard the ocean liner Caronia re-joining Reg Wale's band. In the late 1950s, after a spell with the Chas McDevitt Skiffle Group, Bramwell became a freelance guitarist and composer. His best-remembered scoring was for Candid Camera (1960) containing arguably one of television's catchiest themes. In more serious mood Bramwell scored the social conscience short Jemima and Johnny (1965) concerning the effect of racial intolerance on two small children: one white, one black. Bramwell was something of a character on tour and was often observed nursing a small hip-flask. Sadly, alcoholism affected his work in his last years, and his early death at 46 was due to a stroke. He passed away at his Hampstead home on 13 September 1968. Although always credited professionally as Bill Bramwell, he never changed his name legally and his death was registered at Hampstead under his real name Roger Bramwell.