Bovell served as a minister for over a decade under the premiership of Sir David Brand.
[1] During World War II, he served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), reaching the rank of flight lieutenant.
[2] After the death of sitting member for Sussex, William Willmott, Bovell was endorsed by the Liberal Party for the seat.
[3] At the resultant by-election in June 1947, Bovell was elected to the Western Australian Parliament, winning an absolute majority of votes against two unendorsed Liberal candidates.
[4][5] Sussex was abolished in 1950, and Bovell followed most of his constituents into the new seat of Vasse, which he held without difficulty for the rest of his career.