in 1920, puttick was appointed commander of the fiji expeditionary force, which had been raised following a request from the fijian government for military forces to support local police dealing with striking labourers and farmers. the force, numbering about 55 men, was based in fiji for two months before returning home. he then served in a number of staff positions. he was sent to england for attachment to the war office and the same year attended the imperial defence college in 1937, with the rank of colonel. he was also one of new zealand's representatives at the coronation of king george vi and queen elizabeth in westminster abbey. in 1938 he was appointed as adjutant general of the new zealand military forces as well as a second term as quartermaster general, having previously served in this capacity from 1934 to 1936.