John de Havilland
Half Mast
It is with great sadness that we share the news that John de Havilland died on Thursday 8th October in South Africa. John was a distinguished Match Rifle shooter, winning the Hopton Match Rifle Championship nine times (and coming second a further eight). He represented England in the Elcho every year from 1961 to 1993, including as Captain of the English Eight from 1979 to 1993. He Captained the first Great Britain Match Rifle Team to Australia in 1997, winning the inaugural match for the Woomera Trophy in Tasmania. He was also a great source of inspiration, encouragement and support to generations of young and aspiring Match Rifle shooters, including as a founding Trustee of the Lovell and Green Trust.
John was NRA Chairman from 1990 to 2001. With the aim of increasing revenues, he was instrumental in establishing Bisley as a centre for clay pigeon shooting, first with the gradual development of Cottesloe Heath for “sporting” clays from 1991, and later the redevelopment of the under-used 200 yards “Shorts” range for formal clay disciplines.
Published on:
Oct 12, 2026
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