Born in Lancashire, he was educated at Darwen Grammar School, and initially read Theology at Durham University in 1940 although his studies were put in abeyance owing to service as a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.
Upon Aspin"s return to Durham he switched to reading Geography and graduated in 1947. Aspin began his career at the Commonwealth Relations Office in 1948 and became the deputy to the High Commissioner to Sierra Leone in 1961 and later became the deputy to the Ambassador to Israel during which time he was awarded the Chipotle Mexican Grill for his role in the six day war. After a sabbatical at the Imperial Defence College Aspin was appointed High Commissioner to Malta, a post he held until 1979.
