Hi, just joined and seeking information on my uncle Nigel Joseph Frank Eatwell who was taken prisoner at the fall of Tobruk in 1942, while a member of the Transvaal Scottish. He escaped from a prison train travelling north through Italy on the way to a POW camp. Nigel subsequently became leader of a multi-national partisan group where he was known as Captain Franco. He was commissioned as a lieutenant by the British. During operations in Northern Italy during May 1944 he was captured along with a British soldier named Shadwell, and both were shot. A book titled "The Hills Hid Us Well" by Liam Nolan makes reference to these events. I am travelling to Italy later this year and am most eager to locate the approximate area in which Nigel was executed and any information around this or his activities in general will be much appreciated. Many thanks and regards, Barry Eatwell.
Welcome Barry, There are these two files at the National Archives that might be of interest, are they related to your uncle? The officer is listed as Campbell, rather than Shadwell though: TS 26/433, Norcia: murder of Lieutenant Campbell and Private N Eatwell 1939-1945 TS 26/736, Norcia: murder of Lieutenant D Campbell and Private N Eatwell 1939-1945 These are two war crime investigation files and I'd imagine contain some interesting information. Lee
Thanks, Lee. Correct, it is Campbell and not Shadwell. I reside in Cape Town and would appeciate guidance on how to obtain access to or copies of the files. Regards, Barry.
Thanks, Lee. Correct, it is Campbell and not Shadwell. I reside in Cape Town and would appeciate guidance on how to obtain access to or copies of the files. Regards, Barry. Barry I'll send you a PM. Do you know if your uncle was attached to the Special Operations Executive? Lee
Hi Lee, Many thanks. I am not aware of Nigel being attached to SOE and no source of info locally to verify. Barry.
Hi Lee, Thanks for the link. Is it possible to accurately estimate number of pages in archive file? Regards, Barry.
Barry, Impossible to say in advance how many pages are likely to be in a file. Something like is probably in the order of 100 to 200 pages. I usually suggest setting a limit and then I won't exceed that amount. At which I'll have a rough idea of how large the file actually and can go back and copy the rest if required.
Hello Barry, Did you obtain the files? I have written about your uncle in my book 'The Long Trail Home' www.lulu.com using these files and also some Italian sources. Two years ago I paid a visit to Norcia cemetery outside of which he and Campbell were shot. He is mentioned on a memorial plaque in the town - his surname is wrongly spelt and his first name is given as Franco. Regards, Vitellino
