Animal    From 1884  To /9/1895

Nipper

Categories: Animals, Music / songs

Born Bristol (and/or found as a stray, sources differ). Mixed breed with a reputation for nipping visitor's legs, hence the name. His owner, Mark Barraud (1848-1887) worked as a scenery designer in the Bristol Prince's Theatre in Park Row and would often have his dog with him. No longer a theatre, the building boasts a plaque and a statue of Nipper.

On Mark's death his brother Francis, living in Liverpool, took care of the dog. Meanwhile Mark's widow moved from Bristol to Kingston upon Thames and then asked to have the dog back, to keep her company. That's where Nipper spent the rest of life and where he was he was buried.

See Francis Barraud for Nipper's afterlife.

A Hound and a Horn has: "There being no garden to her {Mark's widow's} residence a teenage nephew buried Nipper beneath a mulberry tree in a grassy public area known as Durham Gardens, 77 Clarence Street. In the early years of the 20th century, the town of Kingston upon Thames was further developed and Clarence Street became a main thorough fare, with that grassy plot built over. ...  the nephew who had buried him could recall the site and establish the precise location, which is now the car park at the rear of Lloyds Bank.  On the 100th anniversary of Nipper's birthday in 1984, Mr D. F. Johnson, the chairman of HMV Shops Ltd, visited the area and placed two commemorative plaques to Nipper, one at the entrance to the bank and one in the car park."  Elsewhere we have read that Mark's widow lived in Fife Road but that would not contradict the 'Durham Gardens' location.

We checked an 1895 Ordnance Survey map and no park is shown at or behind what is now the Lloyds Bank in Clarence Street. There is, however, a plot of land not connected to any road, which is now a car park.

2017: The HQ of HMV used to be at what is now the Old Vinyl Factory in Blyth Road, Hayes. On 29 September as part of a celebration of the site’s heritage, a 5.5m statue of Nipper was unveiled at the Record Store there (another visit needed).

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Nipper

Commemorated ati

Francis Barraud & Nipper

In 1899 at 126 Piccadilly Francis Barraud completed his famous painting of 'N...

Read More

Nipper Alley

The naming of the alley after the HMV dog (buried nearby), upset the Kingston...

Read More

Nipper - buried (shop)

At the rear of Lloyds Bank is the last known resting place of Nipper the famo...

Read More

Other Subjects

Philip Astley

Philip Astley

Equestrian performer and circus proprietor. Born Newcastle under Lyme. Aged 17 he joined the 15th Light Dragoons where he developed an exceptional ability breaking and riding horses. Discharged as ...

Person, Animals, Theatre

3 memorials
Spratt's

Spratt's

Canine food specialists and operators of the "largest dog biscuit factory in the world" in Fawe Street, Poplar. Started by an American entrepreneur James Spratt, who introduced the biscuit to Lond...

Group, Commerce, Animals, Food & Drink, USA

1 memorial
Old Tom

Old Tom

This is the story......During the early 19th Century one of the most celebrated characters in the Market was Old Tom, a gander from Ostend who came to England by chance, due to his fascination with...

Animal, Animals

1 memorial
Hyde Park Barracks / Knightsbridge Barracks

Hyde Park Barracks / Knightsbridge Barracks

This site was first developed in 1795 for use by the Horse Guards. The barracks were designed by architect James Johnson and buildings were added up to 1803. (British History Online – 1st Barracks ...

Group, Armed Forces, Animals

2 memorials
Mary Tealby

Mary Tealby

Founded what is now the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. Born Huntingdon as Mary Bates. Married Robert Chapman Tealby and moved to Hull by 1841. She separated from her husband and moved to London t...

Person, Animals

1 memorial