Nosworthy served in the Second World War becoming General Officer Commanding (GOC) IV Corps from May 1940, receiving a promotion to lieutenant-general.[3] After the Norwegian campaign ended, the corps commanded most of the armoured reserves preparing to face the proposed German invasion of Britain (Operation Sea Lion), while the other corps headquarters that had been evacuated from Dunkirk in Operation Dynamo was reorganised. Under Nosworthy's command IV Corps was envisaged as a counter-attack force.[4] He continued as GOC IX Corps in Tunisia from 1942 and as Commander-in-Chief of West Africa Command from 1943.[2] He retired in February 1945.[5]