Major Chris Hunter QGM had 'the world's most dangerous job, in the world's most dangerous place'. As the British Army's most experienced counter-terrorist bomb disposal specialist in Iraq, he risked his life on a daily basis.
So effective was he at defusing the crude, unstable but deadly devices, that terrorists on both sides of the conflict, Sunnis and Shi'ites, put a price on Chris' head. Quite apart from the danger of defusing the bombs, just getting to them was a risk, as Chris was a prime target for snipers.
Chris joined the British Army at sixteen. He was commissioned from Sandhurst, winning the much coveted Cermen Sword of Honour, and later served with a number of specialist counter terrorism units. During his career he deployed to a number of operational theatres, including The Balkans, Northern Ireland, Colombia, Afghanistan and Iraq. For his actions during his Iraq tour, he was awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal.
Chris rounded off his military career as a senior intelligence analyst at the Ministry of Defence. At the time of the London suicide bombings, he was seconded to COBRA, the Cabinet Office's emergency response committee.
Since retiring from the army, Chris has worked as a counter-terrorism consultant, writer and broadcaster. His memoir Eight Lives Down tells the harrowing story of his experiences in Iraq. He is a regular contributor to television and radio news and current affairs programmes.
Chris illustrates a gruelling journey of bravery, strength, leadership and skill where every decision made during his time in Iraq could have been his last.
The 2008 multi-award winning film The Hurt Locker was inspired by Chris' missions in Iraq.