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Great-granddad dies at exact time and date as he was born 103 years before

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Jimmy Newell, who was born and died at the same time on October 11 (SWNS)

A great-grandad from Devon has died at the exact date and time he was born on 103 years earlier.

Jimmy Newell was born at midday on October 11, 1913.

And in a remarkable coincidence he died - with his son Graham holding his hand in hospital -  at the precise moment the clock struck noon again, on October 11, 2016.

‘My father always told the story that he was born to the sounds of the bells at 12 noon coming from Leeds Town Hall,’ said Graham.

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‘It was a regular feature of his and everyone knew and talked about it.

‘He certainly died holding my hand at exactly midday on his birthday while I was on the phone to my son.

‘I told my son he had just died and we checked the time - and it was exactly 12 noon to the minute. It was on the dot. My belief is that it was deliberate as he would never short-change everyone.’

Graham, 65, said he believes it was his dad’s determination to be ‘properly 103′, which made him hang on until noon.

Jimmy, who lived on his own, had suffered a fall 16 days before his death.

Jimmy had been taken into hospital 16 days before his death (SWNS)

He was taken to Torbay hospital for a hip operation but never returned home.

During his career Jimmy, who lived near Totnes, Devon, had been at the forefront of computer technology.

He was believed to be behind the technology which created the first hole-in-the-wall cash machine in London.

He also had a daughter, five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. His wife Kay died in 2000.

He was still playing club cricket at 60 - his favourite team being Yorkshire.

One of his grandsons, Andy, wrote: ‘On this day in 1913 my grandfather drew his first breath, today at noon his last.

‘Eyes full of extraordinary things have closed. A heart charged with 103 years of joy and suffering is now still.

‘Travel well and thank you.’

Jimmy’s life will be celebrated at a church in his home village on November 3.