puttick joined the new zealand staff corps in 1919 and held a number of command and staff positions for the next 20 years. during the second world war, he commanded the 4th infantry brigade in the battle of greece, for which he was awarded a bar to the distinguished service order he had won in the previous war. following the allied evacuation from greece he commanded the 2nd new zealand division during the subsequent battle of crete. in september he returned to new zealand as chief of general staff, new zealand military forces, and served in this capacity until late 1945. he retired from the military the following year and died in 1976.