The Base Stationery Depot's remit soon expanded and it was ordered to print and distribute its own material, being renamed the Army Printing and Stationery Service. It quickly grew in size to meet the task: by the end of its first year on active duty the unit, still commanded by Partridge, had expanded to 20 officers and 176 men. By the end of 1915 it numbered 17 officers and 400 men and in 1917 had reached battalion size – some 53 officers and 850 men. The majority of the unit worked in the printing and photography company, which in 1919 came under the command of Major George Bourne, a former print works manager. At the unit's height Partridge, as director, was assisted by a number of deputy directors and assistant directors ranking as lieutenant-colonels and deputy assistant directors ranking as majors. By the war's end Partridge's increased role had been recognised by his promotion to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and appointment as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. In 1919 he was promoted to colonel and appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.
