[4] During the Second World War (from 3 August 1940 to 30 April 1943) Bothamley served with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as a shipping identification officer, based in Wellington and holding the rank of Lieutenant-Commander.

[6][7][8] Bothamley was initially a sessional employee, which meant that he was not employed by Parliament during recesses, when the House of Representatives was not sitting.

After World War I Bothamley returned to his position at Parliament and, on 1 June 1932, he was promoted to Second Clerk Assistant and Reader.

[11][12] For three months during 1936 Bothamley acted as Clerk of the House during the absence overseas of Thomas Donald Horn Hall.

[19] He was also Private Secretary to Premier Sir John Hall, Clerk of Parliaments, and for 45 years he was the Legislative Council's Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.

[24] Bothamley (known to his friends as "Old Bot") died at the age of 76 on 12 June 1956, as a result of a motor vehicle accident in Wellington.