Ashton is originally from the county of Norfolk, United Kingdom. He was born in Kings-Lynn, a small but scruffy town on the English coast. Ashton was raised by his parents, both of whom served in the Royal Air Force. This made for a strict household, and an early onset of discipline, which pushed Ashton to success in his early education. On completion of secondary school, Ashton was briefly employed as a live sound engineer, before being accepted to the University of Hertfordshire, where he studied and achieved a BSc in Paramedic Science.

By this time, Ashton's family lived in Essex. Once he'd completed his degree, he started employment with the local ambulance service and took up residence in Chelmsford. He maintained good relations with his parents and visited them frequently. He also made frequent visits to Ireland to visit his half-sister, with whom he was very close. During his time with the ambulance service in the UK, Ashton took on a multitude of job roles, including some low level management positions. While working, Ashton completed a part time Masters degree and earned his qualification as an Advanced Paramedic in Urgent Care.

In 2019, Ashton received a job offer from AMR, and moved to the United States to begin working as a Paramedic and mentor to new students. On the 27th January 2020, Ashton was called to attend an intoxicated 16 year old female at her home address. This was the first time he met Claire Reid - a troubled teenager suffering from a plethora of mental health and social issues. Throughout his time in AMR, Ashton had many run-ins with Claire, and filed numerous referrals to the local social services departments to attempt to get Claire some professional help. This culminated with Ashton becoming Claire's legal guardian. In late 2020, Ashton was forced to resign from AMR due to an extended period of ill health. He recovered in May 2021, and moved to San Andreas to seek new work.

As of March 2024, Ashton is currently employed by SAFR, where he works as a Specialist Paramedic, and represents the service's Command Team as the Clinical Advisor. This used to prompt many long hours at work, alongside his childcare responsibilities. Ashton is unmarried, and currently not seeing anybody. He did have a brief relationship with a colleague named Sophia Miller in a previous ambulance service, but this ended when she left without warning. The two haven't spoken since, and Ashton has been unwilling to pursue any further relationships.

The adoption paperwork was approved in late 2021, and Claire took Ashton's surname. Soon after, Ashton and Claire welcomed Josh Robertson to the family as the appointed godfather. Since then, Claire has taken up employment within the dispatch team at SAFR, while Ashton has spent a considerable amount of time with his family in the UK. While he is in state, he remains devoted to his work and in March 2022 released a new scope of practice for the service's Critical Care Paramedics. Outside of work, Ashton spends much of his time alone. It is unknown how he spends his free time, but in February 2022, he sent a letter to a local counsellors office requesting sessions to help him deal with loneliness. This information is not yet known to Claire. Claire is also currently unaware that Ashton suffers with frequent chest pains, which have not yet been followed up by a doctor. Ashton is careful not to burden Claire with information that would worry her.

Following a period of ill health in November 2023, Ashton drafted a resignation letter which was reviewed by the SAFR Command Team. The chief, Violet Savage, offered Ashton to take up post as the service's Clinical Advisor instead and Ashton now spends much of his time remote-working: investigating clinical incidents, drafting policy updates, and working to improve clinical practice. The time spent at home allowed Ashton to finally finish his PgCert in Critical Care Assessment and qualify as a Consultant Paramedic in March 2024.

"I appreciate that you've been shot, any chance you can convey yourself?"
"Yes I can see your leg is broken you knob-jockey"
- Ashton loves the Irish accent - it reminds him of home.
- Ashton also advocates for anti-smoking campaigns... despite being a regular smoker himself.
- Aside from being a sound engineer, Ashton also plays the drums and listens to a variety of rock and metal bands.