Mary Watson – Sidecar travelling washer woman

Mary Watson started riding in 1924 and was the first woman member of the Blenheim motorcycle club. In the 1940s Mary ran her own business traveling from farm to farm with a sidecar carrying a washing machine attached to an Indian Scout 5/6 motorcycle providing her cleaning services.

The Te Ara – Encyclopedia of New Zealand website holds 2 films of Mary Watson and her sidecar washing service

https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/20705/mobile-washerwoman
https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/40784/washing-on-wheels-1947

At some stage N.Z Motocyclist Magazine featured Mary and her washing machine.

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Dave Young
2026 years ago

Mrs. Watson sounds like an amazing person. I don’t think my missus could rebuild an engine.

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