The excellent MBE, ED, MiD group of eight awarded to Maj. Percy Elrick Coutts who served with Petrol Company, Divisional Ammunition Company and other logistical units of the 2nd NZEF throughout the campaigns in Greece, Crete, Western Desert and Italy.

 

Percy Coutts was born in Auckland on 4th December 1903, and embarked with the 2nd Echelon in April 1940 as Adjutant of H.Q Divisional Ammunition Company. He served in Greece and Crete and by October 1941 had been appointed Officer Commanding, 1 Ammunition Company. He saw further service in Egypt and the Western Desert and from January 1943 was Officer Commanding 18 Tank Transporter Company. For his extensive and distinguished service over this period he was Mentioned in Despatches (L.G. 15/12/1942) and later appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (L.G. 25/11/1943). The recommendation reads:

"For consistent outstanding good work and devotion to duty
for a period of three and a half years, covering the campaigns
of Greece, Crete, Libya and Egypt to Tripoli. His coolness,
leadership and high standard of efficiency has inspired his
command to ensure the maintenance of ammunition in
the field whatever the circumstances. In the field he has
served successively as adjutant HQ Command NZASC; as OC
NZ Ammunition Company, and OC 18 NZ Tank Transporter
Company. He has been indefatigable in carrying out his duty
inspiring his officers and men to do the same at all times."

 

After a period of furlough in New Zealand, Coutts returned to the front, serving in Italy with the NZ Army Service Corps for the duration of the war. He was appointed Officer Commanding Petrol Company in October 1945. In 1946 he received the Efficiency Decoration (Army Order 1946/35 refers). After the war Percy Coutts established a car dealership on Great North Road, offering high-end cars such as Bentleys and Daimlers. He also imported Lambretta scooters, and it was while riding one of these in February 1960 that he had an accident, suffering injuries from which he succumbed two weeks later.

 

The Efficiency Decoration is correctly engraved MAJ. P.E. COUTTS. 2 NZEF, and the group comes with the illuminated certificate signed by Gen. Freyberg for the award of the MBE plus Coutts's miniatures as-worn.