Hunt was an officer in the British and Indian armies in the 1930s, during which time he was able to undertake several climbing expeditions in the Himalaya.Following WWII (during which time Hunt served with considerable distinction, being awarded a DSO and being made a CBE before the war's end) Hunt's leadership skills, mountaineering background and knowledge of the Himalaya led to his selection as leader of the 1953 British Everest expedition.Following the success of the Everest expedition Hunt was knighted, and some years later was made a life peer, being gazetted as Baron Hunt.
