Havard was a keen Surf Life Saver and joined RAAF Aircrew in 1940. Graduating as a pilot, he served with 75 Squadron in Port Moresby.

He was posted to Mildura for further operational training and was sadly killed when his Kittyhawk A20-89 went into a spin at 6000 ft while he was participating in air combat exercises. The aircraft crashed at Coomealla near the property of Flight Lieutenant Dudley Marrows. He was cremated at Sydney and his ashes scattered out over the surf he so loved.