Bessie Shearlaw

Bessie M Staples married name Bessie Shearlaw (c.1915-date of death unknown), was a female England badminton international.

Badminton career Staples was a winner of the All England Open Badminton Championships. She won the mixed doubles in the 1939 All England Badminton Championships with Ralph Nichols. Staples also won a Denmark Open title with Nichols.

After marrying James Shearlaw in 1945 she competed in her married name and won the Irish Open, Scottish Open and the Scottish Individual Championships.

Achievements International tournaments (5 titles, 2 runners-up) Women's doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result 1939 Denmark Open Diana Doveton Queenie Allen Ruth Dalsgaard 15–12, 10–15, 11–15 Runner-up 1947 Scottish Open C. B. Alison Elizabeth Armstrong E. W. Greenwood 15–8, 15–10 Winner

Mixed doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result 1938 All England Open Ralph Nichols Raymond M. White Betty Uber 10–15, 9–15 Runner-up 1939 All England Open Ralph Nichols James Rankin Mavis Macnaughton 15–10, 6–15, 15–8 Winner 1939 Denmark Open Ralph Nichols Raymond M. White Diana Doveton 17–14, 15–7 Winner 1947 Scottish Open Ralph Nichols J. S. Millar Elizabeth Armstrong 15–7, 15–5 Winner 1947 Irish Open Ralph Nichols Thomas Boyle W. Swann 15–8, 15–3 Winner