 Archibald Hunter, born a twin, was the son of an Archibald Hunter (1805–1868), a London businessman and Mary Jane Graham (1833–1905).Having chosen not to follow his father's business routes, Hunter began military education in Glasgow, and then at the Royal Military College Sandhurst.In 1875, the nineteen-year-old sub lieutenant joined the 4th (King's Own Royal) Regiment.