Major-General William Ashburner was born in Bombay in May 1819 and entered the Honourable East India Company's Forces as a Cornet in January 1837, aged 17 years. He subsequently served in the First Afghan War, including the advance on Candahar and the operations under Major-General Nott which led to the re-occupation of Ghuznee and Cabul. Severely wounded in the second engagement at Hykulzye, he recovered sufficiently to participate in the Scinde operations of 1843, including the Battle of Hyderabad.

As a Captain in the 3rd Light Cavalry in February 1857, during the Persia operations, Ashburner participated in the celebrated charge at Khooshab, an action that resulted in the Regiment winning two Victoria Crosses. In the following year he commanded a detachment of the Central India Field Force in the Jhansi and Jaloore Districts, and was present at the capture of the rebel strongholds of Mhow and Makonie.

Transferring to the South Mahratta Horse as a newly promoted Major in February 1861, and the 1st Bombay Light Cavalry in 1865, he was advanced to Lieutenant-Colonel in January 1868. Latterly Commandant of the Regiment, he was appointed a Major-General on his retirement in 1875. Ashburner died in South Africa in October 1888.