A Ukrainian refugee helped rescue the Armed Forces Day celebrations.

Early in the yesterday's (June 25) Watford Armed Forces Day celebrations co-organiser Luther Blissett put out an appeal on Facebook for a replacement bugler.

The plan had been to play the last post as the Armed Forces Day flag was lowered.

Ukrainian refugee Volodymyr Vaskovskyi was told of the situation and jumped in a cab from Pinner to come to the rescue.

Read more: Armed Forces Day: Where to celebrate in Watford

Watford Observer: Luther Blissett talking with attendeeLuther Blissett talking with attendee

Volodymyr, a professional musician who escaped the Donetsk region, spent the afternoon practising the piece before delivering an emotional rendition as the flag was lowered by veteran Norman McGuigan and Councillor Bill Stanton. 

A group of women and children from Ukraine also attended to pay their respects.

The day began with the Armed Forces Day breakfast at Toby Carvery before an evening celebration which featured the flag lowering ceremony.

Veterans Norman McGuigan and Dougie Brimson spoke and gave readings at the event.

Watford Observer: Armed forces day crowdArmed forces day crowd

Despite a heavy shower, the event took on a festival atmosphere with passers-by and participants singing and dancing together throughout.