Later in his career he provided advice to the British Government at a time of continuing tension associated with the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

[4] Later that year he was given the temporary rank of lieutenant colonel and appointed Commanding Officer of the Seaforth Highlanders,[2] leading them in North West Europe and receiving the Distinguished Service Order on 10 May 1945.

[6] Appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year Honours 1948,[7] he was given the substantive rank of major on 30 June 1949[8] and became an instructor at the Staff College, Camberley from 1952[2] and then an instructor at the Imperial Defence College from 1956[2] before being promoted to lieutenant colonel on 7 June 1957[9] and being given command of the 1st Battalion of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders.

[18] Advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in the New Year Honours 1973[19] and also appointed ADC General to the Queen that year,[2] Hunt was appointed Chief of the General Staff on 19 July 1973[20] at a time of continuing tension associated with the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

[2] Hunt's personal interests included shooting and medical charities: he was President of the National Smallbore Rifle Association and Chairman of the Council of the King Edward VII's Hospital in London.