Morning all, Just wondering if someone can point me to a primary or secondary source regarding the evolution of the rank of brigadier during the interwar period and Second World War. I know (although unconfirmed by a citable source) that the British Army eliminated the rank of brigadier general in the early 1920s. When it was brought back in the late 1920s, the rank (appointment?) changed to brigadier and was categorized as a field officer, not a general officer. I believe during the war, the rank of brigadier was an appointment - an officer was an acting brigadier upon appointment and after six months they were given the rank of temporary brigadier. If a brigadier left their position they reverted back to their previous rank, unless they assumed another brigadier position. I don't believe brigadier became an actual rank again until 1948? If someone could point me in the direction of a source that can be cited in a doctoral dissertation I would greatly appreciate it.
King's Regulations 1935 with later amendments has these pages which mention "brigadier". Para. 179 refers to "Brevet Promotion" "179(a) The object of brevet promotion is to ensure the advancement of selected officers, in order that they may be able to reach the higher ranks of the army at the most suitable ages." This was amended in May 1937 to read: "179(a) The objects for which brevet promotion is granted are set out in the Pay Warrant, 1931, Article 179." It is possible that that Pay Warrant will be in File WO 123/73. "Army orders (War Office) Reference: WO 123/73 Description: Army orders (War Office) Date: 1931 Held by: The National Archives, Kew Legal status: Public Record(s) Closure status: Open Document, Open Description" There is an expert on Army Orders who is member here who may come along with the exact text ( I just happen to have the KR's for 1935.) "Army Orders" were published annually in books about six inches by four inches in size, as I recall from having seen an example.
Thanks for this. I really should have thought to look at the King's Regulations as a start point. I'll have to see if I can find copies from the 1920s to see if they reference the rank of brigadier.
I was going to contribute, as my PhD was on Brigadiers in the British Army in 1940 (it's on the British Library's EtHos system) - but can't better this other than noting the Army Order of 1922 concerning the abolition of Brigadier General and establishing "Colonel on the Staff" and "Colonel Commandant". KR 1935 is as sound a source as any for WW2. The person, authority or source which digitizes Army Orders will deserve sainthood. It's too big a job even for the hedge fund managers who run the family history websites at eye-watering costs and demand exclusive rights from the UK National Archive.
Thanks for this. I believe I've read your dissertation (Point of Failure?). Do you know where I can find a copy of Army Order of 1922 outside of Kew?
After a little research I found reference to it in the RUSI Journal in Army Notes (Volume 66, Issue 461, page 166.)
Reintroduction of the rank of brigadier can be found in the Army Notes of the RSUI Journal Volume 43, no. 491 page 631. My understanding is that it was simply a change in the title of the two colonel ranks. Brigadiers were not GOs but COs.
And I would say your understanding is correct. I knew about "Army Notes" but treated AOs as defnitive.
Thanks. We should compare notes sometime. My dissertation looks at Anglo-Canadian infantry and armoured brigade command in 21st Army Group, more specifically how senior Anglo-Canadian officers managed and developed middle rank officers into brigade commanders and the role these brigade commanders played in operations. I collected the service files of all the brigade commanders and have created the Excel document from "hell." More or less have all their social and professional demographic data.
