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The First Player to Wear Shorts at the All-England
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Raymond ‘Bill’ White was the first player to play at the All-England Badminton Championships wearing shorts. He was also the first player to fly 70 miles to a badminton tournament. It was also reported he was the only one ever to report to the tournament referee still in his dinner jacket.
Bill would win two All-England men’s singles titles in 1933 and 1935. With his doubles partner Donald Hume, they would win four consecutive men’s doubles titles from 1932 to 1935, winning the trophy outright in 1934. He would win one All-England mixed doubles title with Betty Uber in 1938.
Bill between 1929 and 1939 won 24 international caps for England and was part of the English touring team that visited Canada in 1930.
He joined the Liverpool fire service in the Blitz and became Chief Fire Officer.
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Bill White and Ralph Nichols were great rivals in the 1930s.
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Frank Devlin (far end) playing against Bill White in a England v Ireland international match during the 1931 All-England Badminton Championships at the Horticultural Hall, London.
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1932 All-England Championships Bill White far end playing in the 3rd round of the men’s singles playing against his doubles partner Donald Hume. Bill would win 15-8, 14-15, 15-9. and go on to reach the final, only to be beaten by Ralph Nichols.
For more information on the history of the All-England Badminton Championships – Click Here.
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Leading players of the 1920s and 1930s. Standing-L. to R. Raymond ‘Bill’ White, Gordon ‘Curly’ Mack, Marion Horsley, Ralph Nichols, Donald Hume. Sitting-L. to R. Frank Devlin, Marjorie Barrett, Betty Uber.
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Visitors are welcome to look around the Museum unescorted at any time – The National Badminton Centre is normally open 9am to 8pm every day.
Badminton Museum, National Badminton Centre, Bradwell Road, Loughton Lodge,
MILTON KEYNES MK8 9LA
Free Admission.
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Accessibility
The Badminton Museum is on the 1st floor with a lift. Disabled toilet facilities are available on the 1st floor. There is no wheelchair accessibility to the Museum office.
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There is a restaurant on the first floor serving breakfasts every day of the week and light lunches on weekdays.
Free parking at the National Badminton Centre.
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2026 Yonex All-England Badminton Championships
Tuesday 3 March 2026 to Sunday 8 March 2026.
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National Badminton Centre
Lodge Hotel.
For more information and to book a room – Click Here.
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If you have any badminton memorabilia, archive material, or any other items and would like to donate them to the Badminton Museum please contact us at: –
museum@badmintonengland.co.uk
Thank you to all the ‘Friends of the Museum’ and people who have made donations to the Badminton Museum, your support enables us to purchase extremely rare badminton artefacts for the National Collection as they become available.
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The Badminton Museum is a small charity administered by volunteers. Help preserve the history of badminton by making a donation or becoming a ‘Friend of the Museum’. Any donations to the Badminton Museum will help us to expand the collection of memorabilia, books, and documents to make these items readily available to all.
To become a ‘Friend of the Museum’ or to make a donation to the Badminton Museum online or by cheque go to: – ‘Home’ – ‘Friends and Donations’. – Click Here. or use the QR Code – Thank you.
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