Richard Bowles Skipper was the second son of Rosina Mazzotti and Richard Bowles Skipper. His brother had died in infancy.
He was born on 18 January 1862 in Southwell Street, Lakenham, Norwich. His father was a whitesmith.
He died of diarrhoea on 7 March 1862 and was buried in Lakenham on 12 March.