Mosquitos and Singapore

This true story covers the three years during which a young RAF serviceman was called up for National Service and transported to Singapore from war-torn and rationed England for a “tour of duty” on 81 Photographic Squadron at Seletar Airbase in Singapore.


Based on diaries, notes and letters written at the time, Ted Wilkins describes life on the Squadron and the aerial survey work concerning the “terrorists” during the Malayan Emergency. His autobiography also captures all the flavours and excitement of life on this fantastic island during the early fifties. Reminisces include a Malayan wedding, a visit to the Tiger Balm gardens, the Mosque at Johor Bahru and a picnic trip to adjacent islands. Through these pages, the author warmly describes how he embraced the customs and livelihoods of the island’s pleasant, always smiling people.


Written in a humble manner, this book brings to life all the excitement of exploring a new and fascinating country, so far removed from the author’s previous country life at home. The climate, the people, all the hustle and bustle, the flowers, the clothes and colours of this “magical glamorous island”, are all lovingly captured in a remarkable way.