He was brought up as one of the family, was educated at Burney's school at Gosport, entered the East India Company's army as ensign on 12 June 1819, and the following day was promoted to be lieutenant in the 10th native infantry.

He arrived at Madras on 8 July 1819, returned home on furlough in January 1821, and on landing again in India on 15 June 1822 joined his regiment at Belgaon.

He was appointed adjutant of the second battalion on 14 March 1823, and in the following year was posted to the 18th Madras native infantry for service in Burma under Sir Archibald Campbell.

[2] Vivian took part in the capture and occupation of Rangoon in May 1824, was made adjutant of the battalion on 4 June, and was engaged in the assaults of Yelgeo and Juzong, in the attack and capture on 10 June of Kamandin, in the repulse of the attack on the lines in front of Rangoon on 1 July, and in the subsequent fighting.

In February 1841, he was entrusted with the reduction of Fort Napani, which he captured on the 22nd, and received the thanks of Sir R. Dick, commander-in-chief (general orders dated 19 March 1841), for the judicious arrangements which he had made and the zeal and gallantry with which they were carried into effect.

[2] On 15 October 1841, Vivian was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and on 5 January 1843 was removed to the 1st Madras European regiment, afterwards the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

On 25 May of that year he was appointed to command the Turkish contingent in the Crimea, with the local rank of lieutenant-general.

He organised this force of twenty thousand men, and with it during the winter of 1855–6 occupied the position of Kertch.