Vivien Anthony Lionel Kein

WO2 Viv Kein enlisted in the CMF on 10 February 1970 with 3 Div Sig Regt at South Melbourne. He had previous service in the Indian Army and held a Viceroys commission and the rank of Subahdar Major.

Not a lot is known about his career in the Indian Army. However, from discussions amongst his friends at 126 Sig Sqn it seems it varied from shift work as a Technician Supervisor in the New Dehli Comcen to the extremes of desert tank warfare against the Pakistanis and snow-bound mountain warfare against the Chines in the Himalayas. For one period he served nearly three years continuously away from his family in a combat zone.

When he applied to join the Australian Army he was informed that as his was not a Queens commission he would only hold the rank of Sergeant on enlistment. This did not deter Viv and on 6 April 1971 he was posted to 108 Sig Sqn (TF) and subsequently was promoted to SSgt on the 17 July 1972. He returned to 3 Sig Regt on 1 April 1975 and immediately made enquires about service with 126 Sig Sqn and in fact transferred on 22 April 1975 and was posted to Tech Maint Troop.

When the Squadron was granted the right to wear the Green Beret Viv even though he was 48 years old motivated himself and with only a little help he passed the initial tests. It should be remembered that in the early days of the beret the standard required was the same for a 48 year old as it was for a 20 year old. Viv continued to serve on with the enthusiasm and cheerful attitude we came to associate with him. In 1980 when the Squadron had conferred upon it Freedom of Entry to the City of Box Hill, there was no one in the unit prouder than Viv and it is probably this picture of him on ceremonial occasions that will remain with those of us who knew him forever. He had nearly two rows of the most magnificently coloured ribbons any of us had ever seen and nearly thirty years of service had provided him with a deep affection for the atmosphere of military ceremonies.

WO2 Vivien Anthony Lionel Kein passed on the 10 January 1981. His funeral service was attended by his family, his Bentleigh RSL associates and the OC and his friends in 126 Signal Squadron. His death was sudden and his cheerful attitude and smiling face are missed by all who knew him in this and other units. The ARES Senior NCO's of the Squadron decided that an award in Viv's memory was appropriate and they chose to vote each year on the Most Improved Soldier.