[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.
In 1959 Bovell was appointed Minister for Lands, Forests and Immigration, serving in these ministries until 1971.