Henry Beasley

Lieutenant Colonel James Henry Mountiford Beasley DSO (28 March 1876 – 14 December 1949), known as Pops, was a British Army officer and a leading contract bridge personality in the early days of the game.

[3] In bidding, Beasley adopted many of Culbertson's ideas, but was displeased with the strong twos and their negative response of two no trumps.

As a result, so he claimed, he was the inventor (in 1936) of the artificial strong two clubs opening bid with its negative response two diamonds.

The Crockford's team was Beasley, Sir Guy Domville (popular society and sporting figure), George Morris and Captain Hogg.

The most common partnerships were: Britain: Beasley & Sir Guy Domville; George Morris & Percy Tabbush; Lady Doris Rhodes & Graham Mathieson.

Tabbush followed a course that is not common amongst bridge players: he joined a religious sect and turned his back on the 'Devil's playthings'.

"[9] Mathieson's part in the match was curtailed when he fell through a glass roof, to be rescued swinging from a girder above a 40-foot drop!

Hubert Phillips, writing in the News Chronicle, put the reasons as superior teamwork, avoidance of unnecessary risks when vulnerable, and greater precision in slam-bidding.

Beasley during a practice match at Grosvenor House , before the 1933 Schwab Cup match vs Culbertson. Right is probably Terence Reese .
At table, from left: Ely Culbertson , Lady Doris Rhodes , referee Col GGJ Walshe, Josephine Culbertson, Pops Beasley. Behind, far left: Hubert Phillips .
At table, from left: Michael T. Gottlieb , George Morris, referee Mr Mundy, Theodore Lightner, Percy Tabbush. Behind left, Hubert Phillips; second right, Doris Rhodes.