[1] Educated at Newington College (1882-1884)[2] and Sydney Boys High School (1888–92),[3] Bowden qualified as a solicitor in 1894 after serving articles with his father.

His appointment occasioned some surprise, as he had no military experience, was not regarded as a strong speaker, and had shown little interest in defence matters.

He also oversaw the introduction of the government's five-year defence programme, which provided for the creation of a cruiser and submarine force.

[1] In his last terms in parliament, Bowden served on the joint select committee on electoral law and as a member of the royal commission into the Constitution.

[1] Bowden suffered from chronic respiratory disease in his last years and was also in financial difficulties,[1] forcing him to subdivide the land around Endrim.