Background
Ashby was born in 1931, the son of Edward and Catherine Adele (née Gozar) Ashby, and the younger brother of Kerry Ashby.
Ashby was born in 1931, the son of Edward and Catherine Adele (née Gozar) Ashby, and the younger brother of Kerry Ashby.
He was educated at Mount Albert Grammar School from 1944 to 1947, and was a member of the school"s 1st XV rugby union team in 1946 and 1947, and rowing eight in the same two years.