puttick was commanding the central military district when the second world war broke out and, as a skilled administrator, played a key role in the raising of the second new zealand expeditionary force (2nzef) for service overseas. the 4th infantry brigade with puttick, promoted to temporary brigadier, as its commander was to be the first brigade of the newly formed 2nd new zealand division, under the overall command of major general bernard freyberg. the brigade duly departed for the middle east in january 1940.