Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Henry Ault a Stonemason, born 1853 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire and his wife Mary, born 1856 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire. Thomas a a Striker with a Coach Builder and was born in 1890 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, he had one sibling, a sister Louisa, born 1887 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire. In April 1911 the family home was at South Street, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire. The War Diary entry for the 28th, 29th and 30th June 1917 records. At 2.30am CANADIANS attack on the right, no warning that it would take place, this delayed our relief very much as the Huns put down a barrage on our front. Relief not completed until 5.00am. Very noisy night. Major GRIFFITHS found an undamaged Granatenwerfer. General visited us during the morning. Report on Operation 28th June to 1st July 1917. On the night of the 27th June the 5th Battn LEICESTERSHIRE REGT moved up and took over the trenches (detailed for assembly prior to the attack) BOOT and BRICK from the 5th Battn LINCOLNSHIRE REGT and MONMOUTHSHIRE REGT. Two other ranks were wounded. For the assault, Coy’s were disposed of as follows:- B Coy on right, A Coy on left, D Coy moppers up, one Coy of 4th Battn LINCOLNSHIRE REGT was in support, one Coy of 4th Battn LINCOLNSHIRE REGT was detailed for carrying. At ZERO minus 4 on the 28th instant the men of the assaulting Corps climbed out of their trenches, (which were very deep and narrow) and lay down in front of the trenches, this movement took place without the knowledge of the enemy although he had two balloons up and 3 aeroplanes over before ZERO. At ZERO the assaulting Coy’s advanced and with practically no opposition beyond enemy artillery and machine gun fire seized the Battn’s objectives, and consolidation commenced. This was reported by runner to Battn HQ’s at 7.40pm. Touch was gained by troops on both flanks. At 8.20pm the situation was reported quiet. At 9.00pm patrols were pushed out and met with slight opposition. The night was quiet and next day 29th June patrols were pushed out onto RIDGE and along ALMNAC TRENCH as far as the LENS ARRAS road. The latter patrol encountered the enemy who ran away, leaving a telephone, a rocket pistol and machine gun spare parts in our possession. In the afternoon nothing of importance occurred. Message received from General Officer Commanding. WELL DONE GIRL. Quiet morning. In the afternoon our new line was heavily shelled and the Battn sustained several casualties (3 officers and 60 other ranks). On the night of the 30th June the Battn was relieved by the 4th Battn LINCOLNSHIRE REGT, and the Battn was disposed as follows:- 2 Coy’s in support in CITE DES GARENNES. 1 Coy to LIEVEN. The Battn then came into Brigade Reserve.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday July 13th, 1917

Mr and Mrs Ault, of Market Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, have received news that their second son, Sergeant Thomas Ault, Leicesters was shot by a sniper last Sunday. Sergeant Ault belonged to the original Ashby and Coalville Company of the Territorials, and was in camp at Bridlington when the war broke out.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 29/11/2017
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Photograph courtesy of A. Garford 2020