William James Ashburner was commissioned as a Cornet in the Bombay Army in 1837. He was posted to the 3rd Bombay Light Cavalry in December 1837, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in March 1840. He saw action in the First Afghan War and was wounded on 28 April 1842 and having recovered he was appointed Adjutant. After the war he was court martialled in 1847 for 'conduct unbecoming the character of an officer and a gentlemen’. However, he was found not guilty and acquitted of all charges. He was promoted to Captain in August 1850 and served in the Anglo-Persian War of 1856. He then commanded a detached force to combat rebels in the Jhansi and Jalaun districts in 1858 during the Indian Mutiny. William was promoted to Brevet Major in February 1860 commanding the 3rd Bombay Light Cavalry, and then Brevet Lieutenant Colonel in January 1861 before finally becoming the Commandant of the 1st Bombay Light Cavalry with the rank of Colonel in August 1862. William retired in January 1875, with the rank of Honorary Major General.
