Served in Africa and the Pacific on vessels including the Amphion, Danae and Neptune. He was on Java on leave when the island was taken by the Japanese and couldn't get back to his ship. He ended spending eight days at Serambang, but got away - so never really spent time as a POW.

In 1957 the Levin's migrated to New Zealand and here became very involved in activities of the Auckland Ex-POW Association, and other Returned Services activities. The Ex-POW Association held an annual picnic for children each year at Knocknagree, near Henderson. The parents had racing competitions and Ted Levin son the racing cup so frequently that he was allowed to keep it.