Following the first known open badminton tournament at the Guildford Drill Hall during 1898 the Badminton Association (BA) decided to stage the first All England Championships on 4 April 1899. The one day tournament was at the Drill Hall at the London Scottish Rifles Headquarters in Buckingham Gate and consisted of four courts with the two end courts having balconies over hanging them. The courts were basic very with nets only 16 feet wide, posts with extended canes and chalked lines. The principal event organisers were Mr Richard Fleming St Andrew St John (Honorary Secretary of the BA) and Mr Percy Buckley (Secretary of the Guildford Badminton Association and President of the BA). The winners received two guineas and runner up received one guinea.[1]
Fourteen pairs entered.[3] There were two byes and two walk overs in the first round, the latter two because Buckell & Hillier and Mellersh & Collier scratched.[1]
