Robert Bowman submitted an application to join the Expedition.

Original item held at the State Library of Victoria, SLV MS13071, Boxes 2076/1-2076/5 and Boxes 2077/1-2077/4. Royal Society of Victoria, Exploration Committee Records: Applications to join the VEE received by the EC.

However, Bowman was not selected. however he was at Holloway's Tragowel station when the Expedition camped there on the 4th September 1860, and Burke employed him then.

Bowman had previous exploring experience having been on two expeditions with A C Gregory, the North Australian Expedition 1855-6 and the Leichhardt Search Expedition 1858. Bowman was the party's farrier. During the search for Leichhardt Bowman travelled along the Cooper and down Strzelecki Creek to Mount Hopeless, the route Burke wished to take after finding the Cooper Depot abandoned.

Bowman resigned from the VEE on 18 September 1860 between Paika and Tinn. He was paid three weeks wages which came to ₤10.