Staff of the Southern Regional Headquarters of Civil Defence, c. 1944. At the beginning of the Second World War the Headquarters were in Reading, but later moved to Steventon Manor, near Basingstoke, which is the building in the background. The men sitting on the ground are members of the Mobile Civil Defence Reserve: they have the words "Regional Column" on their helmets. On the second row, seated, are (1) fourth from left, wearing specatacles, William Asbury, Deputy Regional Commissioner, who lived in Caversham Heights: (2) sixth from left, the Regional Commissioner, Sir Harry Haig; and (3) third from right, wearing a beret, Major-General Robert John Collins of the Royal Berkshire Regiment. 1940-1949