The wife of a lieutenant colonel saved her husband’s life by pulling his attacker off him and screaming for help from residents and fellow soldiers. Eileen Teeton, née Duffy, rushed out from the family home close to the scene of the attack in Gillingham, Kent on Tuesday evening as her husband Mark, 47, was knifed. Her anguished cries for help were captured on a Ring doorbell camera belonging to a neighbor. Friends say she is a ‘lovely lady’ who is part of the Brompton and Invicta Military Wives Choir and even appeared on ITV morning show Lorraine in 2020.
Anthony Esan, 24, has been charged with the Army officer’s attempted murder. He is yet to enter pleas. Lt Col Teeton is in a ‘serious but stable’ condition in the hospital after the incident, which took place 200 yards from Brompton Barracks, home of the 1 Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment, where he serves as a course manager.
Lt Col Mark Teeton, a course manager for the Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment for almost six years, has been identified as the victim of a stabbing attack in Gillingham. He has been in the Army for 24 years and has been awarded a long service and good conduct medal.
Mrs. Teeton, a member of a local choir group of military wives, is a big part of the community in the area. She appeared on ITV’s Lorraine show to discuss singing ahead of the release of comedy film Military Wives, based on real-life military wives choirs like the one she is a member of.
Lt Col Teeton ran 44 miles across Normandy on the 80th anniversary of D-Day just last month to raise money for Combat Stress, a charity providing mental health support to veterans, raising almost £3,000. He was awarded a long service and good conduct medal in 2018. Esan, the suspect in the attack, was charged with attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.
After a short hearing at Medway Magistrates’ Court, Esan was remanded in custody. Witnesses said Lt Col Teeton had been dressed in a ‘cream camouflage’ military uniform at the time he was attacked. Esan was arrested near his home address in Rochester and charged following the incident.
The attack took place 200 yards from Brompton Barracks, home of the 1 Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment. Brompton was put into lockdown for a short period on Tuesday evening, with soldiers ordered to remain indoors. An air ambulance was seen landing in Great Lines Heritage Park adjacent to the scene.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Leader of the opposition Rishi Sunak both expressed their shock and wished the soldier a speedy recovery. The head of the British Army, General Sir Roly Walker, was deeply saddened by the alleged attack and extended his thoughts and best wishes to the victim and his family.
The Army spokesperson stated that they would continue to work closely with Kent Police to understand what happened and support the investigation. The community has rallied around the Teeton family, showing support and solidarity during this difficult time.
