Hester Mary JAPP (later HICKEN, later HALL-SMITH) (1901-1991)

Hester Mary Japp (1901-1991), known as Molly, was taught by Mela Brown Constable from 1913-1914 when Molly’s parents employed her as a Governess.  Mela kept in contact with the Japp family at least for several years after she handed in her notice in the summer of 1914.

Molly Japp was born on 12th August 1901 at Oxton, Cheshire, the fifth of six children of Francis Vivian Japp, a shipbroker, and his wife, Ethel Mary Leonora (née Tyrell).  By 1906, the family was living at lived at The Nest, 7 Vanburgh Park, Blackheath, London.

In 1939, Molly married Edmund Hicken, a ladies’ knitwear manufacturer who was 30 years her senior.  A few months later, at the time of the 1939 register, they were living at 9 Heathfield Road, Birmingham.  A son was born in 1942.

Edmund died in 1945 and Molly remarried in 1962 to Harold Hall-Smith.  Molly died at Bryn Heulog Nursing Home, Dwyran, Anglesey, Gwynedd, on 25th February 1991, aged 89.