A devoted elderly couple who were married for more than 70 years died just FOUR MINUTES apart. 

World War Two hero Wilf Russell was 93-years-old when he passed away at a care home at 6.50am on Wednesday. 

Incredibly, his 91-year-old wife Vera then died just three miles away at Leicester Royal Infirmary four minutes later at 6.54am. 

Wilf, who fought in Italy and North Africa with the RAF, moved into Magna Care Home in Wigston, Leics., after being diagnosed with dementia last year. 

Relatives said Vera's health then began to deteriorate after her husband-of-71-years became unable to recognise her during visits. 

She was admitted to hospital in January and passed away without knowing her husband had died moments earlier. 

The childhood sweethearts were just 16 and 18 when they got engaged before they got married after the war on September 5, 1945. 

Granddaughter Stephanie Welch, 44, said: "My granddad was diagnosed with dementia a year ago and he had to go into the care home a couple of months back. 

"My nan went to see him recently and he didn't recognise her at all, her health started deteriorating from that day. 

"I went to visit her at Leicester Royal Infirmary and she opened her eyes and asked me where Wilf was. 

"The last thing she said to me was: 'We're a right pair, aren't we?' 

"He died at 6.50am and she died at 6.54am without being told about Wilf. 

"I think she was waiting for him to go. She was broken-hearted." 

The couple, who had three sons, five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, met when Wilf was 18 and Vera was 16. 

Glasgow Times:
The couple on their wedding day on September 5, 1945 (Credit: SWNS)

They got engaged before Wilf went to North Africa with the RAF during the Second World War. 

The pair married when he returned home and lived in West Bromwich, West Mids., were Wilf worked as an engineer and Vera helped out part-time in a cake shop.

They had three sons, Peter, Colin and Gary who had multiple sclerosis and passed away in his 30s.

The couple then moved to Oadby, Leics., around a decade ago to be near their son Peter Russell, 70, and his family. 

Retired IT worker Peter said: "Most people who hear about what happened have put some sort of romantic feel to it. 

"They were a typical couple for their generation in terms of having a good attitude to want people to get on with things and have a good education and good manners. 

"I think they were fairly normal for their generation. 

"Dad was only in the RAF during the war and was demobbed fairly soon afterwards. 

"He didn't talk a lot about it but I know he was in North Africa and Italy. 

"They moved to West Bromwich where dad worked as an engineer and mum worked occasionally in a cake shop." 

Peter's daughter Stephanie said here grandparents were always a very close couple who adored their family. 

She added: "Vera very much spoke for them as a couple and Wilf went along with whatever she said. Maybe that's why they lasted so long. 

"They had a lot in common and never spent a night apart throughout their entire marriage until Wilf had to move into the care home. 

"I remember they would always spend months and months trying to repair things rather than waste money on ever buying anything new. 

"They were also very family oriented and really loved us all." 

The family are planning to hold a joint funeral in Great Glen, Leics., to celebrate their lives.