General Sir Francis Robert Roy Bucher served as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army after independence, holding the position from 1 January 1948 to 14 January 1949. Born on 31 August 1895, he was commissioned into the British Indian Army on 15 August 1914. Throughout his distinguished military career, General Bucher held a series of key appointments, including Assistant Adjutant General (January–June 1941) and Additional Quartermaster General in Iraq (June 1941–March 1942), showcasing his leadership and strategic acumen during pivotal global and regional conflicts.

In 1946, he was appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Bengal and Assam Area, and subsequently served as GOC-in-Chief of the Eastern Command from 1946 to 1947. His exceptional service and deep understanding of the Indian military landscape led to his appointment as Chief of Staff at Army Headquarters, eventually culminating in his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. General Roy Bucher passed away in 1980, leaving behind a legacy marked by professionalism, transition leadership, and a critical role in shaping the post-independence Indian Army.