He joined the Navy during the Second World War and won an exhibition to New College, Oxford at its conclusion.
For twelve years from 1948 to 1959 Ollard taught history at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich in London.
"One might not guess from his otherwise comprehensive obituaries of Penelope Fitzgerald or Carlo Cipolla, or his articles on Fernand Braudel or Patrick O'Brian, Ollard's pioneering role in publishing such authors.
That his identification and retention of the best of them was of such a long-term benefit to Collins was largely due to his encouragement of a younger generation of editors who thus maintained continuity.
Richard was married to Mary (née Riddell) for 53 years & left 3 children & 5 grandchildren.