The senior Australian Army ranks are: The British Army replaced the rank of brigadier general with colonel-commandant in 1922, and then with brigadier in 1928.
The rank insignia was changed from crossed sabre and baton to crown with three stars ("pips") to reflect that a brigadier is a senior colonel rather than a junior general.
The Cadet Instructor's Handbook (2006), page 104 states: 1.25 At the end of World War I the British Government told the British Army that it had too many generals and that they were to be reduced in numbers.
The Army did just that; it removed the word 'general' and was left with fewer generals and, at the same time, had created a 'new' rank.1.26 The rank of brigadier general was abolished in the Australian Army in 1921, and it was eventually replaced by that of brigadier in 1929.
In the interim titles such as 'colonel-in-command', 'colonel-of-staff' and 'colonel-commandant' were used for officers posted into that level of command.