A possible explanation for the presence of these tugs in Australia is the build up of British naval forces in the Pacific that was already under way when the big bungers were dropped and the war ended.
I recall reading some time ago that British aircraft carriers were staging through or operating out of Sydney and there was a scramble to establish the required support that would enable the Royal Navy to operate effectively alongside the U.S.N.
I suspect some of the equipment was disposed of locally in the scaling down.
Just thought I'd throw that in.
David
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Hell no! I'm not that old!
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