Canon William Archer Clement Ullathorne (1902-85) studied at Queen’s College, Oxford, before being ordained to the priesthood in Liverpool in 1927. He served curacies in Liverpool, Brighton, Arundel and Wednesbury before coming to St John’s in 1942. Although he used the Christian name Clement, he was nicknamed ‘Wacky’ by some on account of his initials, and does appear to have had an eccentric side. He once attempted to paint the altar rail at St John’s red – traces of paint are still observable on the altar step – and one former parishioner remembers, as a boy, having his cap whisked off his head by the priest, who then shinned up a lamppost and placed it on the top. Ullathorne was apparently used to being teased by some of the boys in the parish.
When he left St John’s he went to be Vicar of St Bartholomew’s, Ipswich (1951-64), then Lakenheath (1964-74). He was rural dean of Mildenhall from 1968-73 and lived in Harling, Norfolk, in retirement. He was made an honorary canon of St Edmundsbury in 1962 and a canon emeritus upon his retirement.