Ernest Hunt was born in Croydon, Surrey, on 26 July 1885, the son of John and Susannah Hunt of South Norwood, London. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 24 June 1901 and trained as Seaman Torpedoman and, by 1 November 1912, he had qualified as a Petty Officer (Torpedo Gunner’s Mate). He was drafted to HMS ACTAEON I for Torpedo Boat No 111 on 17 December 1912.

Ernest Hunt joined submarines when he was drafted to HMS DOLPHIN for Submarine Training on 12 October 1915 and he then joined HMS H10 on 27 October 1915. He was promoted to Warrant Rank as a Gunner (T) on 2 January 1918 and returned to HMS H10 as 3rd Hand. H10 failed to return from patrol in the North Sea and is believed that she was lost with all hands in a German minefield on or about 20 January 1918.

Ernest Hunt was the husband of Harriett Hunt of Rochester, Kent. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval War Memorial on Panel No. 28.