[1] He studied at the University of Cambridge[2] and was awarded the Royal Victorian Order (Fourth Class) by King Edward, at Swansea, in July 1902.

[3] He served in World War I with the Royal Irish Rifles and the Cameron Highlanders.

[4] He was Lieutenant Colonel of the 6th Battalion, Welch Regiment, Glamorgan Yeomanry, and was made a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order for gallantry during the war.

A diary by Vivian, kept during his service in the war, and including his account of the 1917 Battle of Ypres, is held by the National Library of Wales.

He died at his country seat, Caer Beris at Builth Wells in Breconshire, on 16 November 1934.