Born in Exeter where his father and grandfather had been distinquished surgeons. Educated at Christ's Hospital and began professional life as a clerk in Lloyd's Shipping Office, but at the age of 17 entered the Royal Navy as assistant clerk. He was eventually promoted to Paymaster but as a result of failing health he was invalided out in 1905. He then lived with his mother in a number of different locations in Devon, when his health improved somewhat, before dying at the comparatively young age of 45. He is buried at Exeter. As a boy de la Garde was interested in the Lepidoptera but as a result of collecting around the world (many non Coleoptera in the HDO) became more interested in the Coleoptera and later the Hemiptera. His travels in Devon gave him a good insight into the local fauna and it is said that he had a new county list in draft before his death. Certainly he published various notes, particularly in the EMM. recording new additions to the Devon fauna. Apart from his own collections - described as ‘a model of neatness. He spared himself no pains in this respect, and no untidy example was allowed to pass muster’ - de la Garde acquired the residue of T.V.Wollaston's Atlantic Islands’ collection, comprising a large number of unidentified specimens, on which he worked 'with most gratifying results'. He exchanged 120 Coleoptera with the NHM in 1906 and gave 1,502 insects including 25 beetles (1906/88 and 1906/89). His obituary in EMM., 49, 1913, pp.161-62, also records that he was very generous in giving British specimens to other collectors. There is a second obituary in ERJV., 25, 1913, p.205. (MD 1/03)
Dates
1868 - 12 May 1913