Richard Bottomley Nowell was born in Ashton-under-Lyne on September 7, 1880. His father was a medical surgeon and so Richard studied medicine for a time before becoming a “gentleman”.
He was commissioned into the 3rd Volunteer Battalion, the Manchester Regiment on February 21, 1903. Appointed Captain on June 10, 1905 he maintained that rank and his seniority when the 3rd Volunteer Battalion became the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment on April 1, 1908.
On June 22, 1908 he married Florence Elizabeth Ann Tipler and they moved to Wilmslow, Cheshire where they had two children.
He sailed with the Battalion to Egypt in September 1914 and on November 4, 1914 was promoted to Major. Landing with the battalion at Gallipoli on May 10, 1915 (with the Transport section), he was second in command and “D” Company commanding officer. 12 days later when Lt. Col. DH Wade was shot by a sniper he temporarily assumed command of the Battalion before turning it over the next day. Later in the campaign he assumed command of the Battalion again from June 9th to July 16th being granted the temporary rank of Lieutenant Colonel. On August 7, 1915 he was wounded while leading 1/2 of the Battalion in the Battle of Krithia Vineyard. After almost 3 weeks in hospital he was invalided to the UK on August 26.
He rejoined the Battalion in Egypt on July 20, 1916 and was immediately posted as 2nd in command. On January 31, 1917 he lead the advance party at Port Said preparing for the Battalion’s imminent move to France.
In March 1917 the Battalion shipped out to France and Lt. Col. (Temp.) R B Nowell was once again placed in command of the Battalion from April 27 to May 25, 1917 and again from July 27 to 30 when Lt. Col. E. C. Lloyd went on leave to Paris. On August 7 he proceeded to England on leave and after his return took temporary command of the Battalion again from September 15 to October 15 while Lt. Col. Lloyd was away. In December 1917 he proceeded to England on leave from 13th to the 29th. On January 15, 1918 he proceeded to the UK to report to the War Office and was struck off the strength. He was awarded the Territorial Decoration in March 1919.
In July 1918 his wife Florence died. He remained in the Army but resigned his commission on April 15, 1921 retaining the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Around the same time he married Annie Brown and they made their home in Lytham St Annes. By 1939 he was living in Devon as a retired stock breeder. His son had emigrated to Brazil in 1948 and so in 1953 he and his wife also emigrated to Brazil.
Lt. Col. Richard Bottomley Nowell, T.D. died in Brazil on February 22, 1959. He was 78 years old.