Qualifying from the University of Queensland, Australia in 1949 Bowly held resident appointments at the Brisbane (1950) and Rockhampton (1951-52) Hospitals. He then came to England and joined the surgical staff at the Dreadnought Seamen's Hospital 1953, transferring to St John's Hospital, Lewisham 1955-57, during which time he obtained the Fellowship in 1956. He was next appointed to the staff of Richmond Royal Hospital, Surrey for 1957-58, after which he went home to Australia. Bowly was appointed visiting surgeon to the General Hospital at Southport, Queensland in 1968, and practised at 110 Esplanade, Southport, and later at 100 Marine Parade. He died at Southport on 16 January 1971 aged about forty-five.