The earliest mention of the DeLacy family is at the time of the Norman Conquest; they are solidly-established members of the Lancashire gentry.
Young Vivian attended Rugby and Sandhurst; he was and is very keen on sports, and did well in Boxing, running, and rugby. He is a member of the Holcombe Hunt (one of the oldest hare-hunting packs in the country; but hare hunters are somewhat looked down on by fox hunters), and a skilled horseman. He has continued his interest in sport, playing polo and taking part in gymnastics in India. He also rode to hounds there, and took part in several tiger hunts.
Upon graduating from Sandhurst in 1884, DeLacy joined the Rifle Brigade as a subaltern. While on his way to Burma to join his battalion, he passed through Egypt, and took part in the Nile Expedition as a staff officer. He received the Egypt Medal (blue and white stripes), with clasps for The Nile, Abu Klea and Kirbekan; and the Khedive's Star (dark blue ribbon; granted by the Egyptian government), and was mentioned once in dispatches.
Once he joined his regiment (the 4th battalion, specifically), action in Burma swiftly followed. This war, caused by the effrontery of King Thibaw (and perhaps the machinations of the French), was quickly over; the British seized Mandalay and northern Burma, which was annexed to India. King Thibaw was deposed, but Burmese dacoits and other rebellious sorts fought on for four more yours. Delacy received the India General Service Medal (red with two dark blue stripes), and clasps for Burma 1885-87 and Burma 1887-89; he was also mentioned twice in dispatches. While in India, DeLacy picked up a bit of Burmese, Hindi, and Arabic.
DeLacy has picked up a reputation as a keen young officer; Generals Wolseley and Wood think highly of him.
The 4th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade has recently returned to Britain, and is now based at the Rifle Depot in Winchester (between London and Southampton, about an hour from London by train).
He is not wealthy, and in fact has appreciated the financial support of his uncle Richard; his clubs in London (the Naval and Military, Bath, and Explorers') provide him a home while in the capital.
A Rifle Brigade patrol jacket, from circa 1890: