They came to this country over half a century apart. Anna Zelenewycz, 96, arrived in Greater Manchester in 1948 having fled Ukraine six years earlier during the Second World War.
Yulia Kovalenko, 35, arrived last May having made the heartbreaking decision to leave her dad and her cat behind, after Russia's full-scale invasion of her homeland began.
Yet today (Friday) both women who were forced to flee the horrors of war, stood just yards apart outside Bolton town hall to honour the heroes defending their country, and remember the fallen.
READ MORE: A year on from war, how Greater Manchester wrapped its arms around Ukraine and her people
They were just two among several hundred who gathered at a memorial service in the town to mark the first anniversary of the brutal war instigated by Vladimir Putin, many of whom were reduced to tears during the incredibly poignant and moving event.
It began with civic leaders and members of Bolton's Ukrainian community marching through the hall of remembrance at the town hall, before assembling on the steps which lead out onto Victoria Square.
You could hear a pin drop in the normally bustling town centre as the Vicar of Bolton Canon Dr Chris Bracegirdle led a two-minute silence to remember those who had lost their lives.
As he rightly said, a year ago many of us may not have known the proper pronunciation of Kyiv, or even have known the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
Today, the town square was a sea of yellow and blue, with dozens draped in the national flag or waving it in a show of pride and defiance amongst the overwhelming sadness at the reality of what their country is facing.
Deputy Mayor of Bolton Coun Linda Thomas lit a candle before wreaths were laid and the Ukrainian national anthem was played by the Bolton Hoover Band.
Traditional Ukrainian hymns were sung during the memorial service led by Catholic priest Ihor Mazur, before speeches by Martyn Chymera in English, and Yaroslaw Tymchyshyn, Chair of the Bolton Branch of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, in Ukrainian.
There was solemn silence, only pierced by the melancholic singing with a number of those present visibly in tears throughout. "It was very emotional. Very upsetting" Anna, who has family in Ukraine fighting in the conflict said. "I worry about them," she added.
Mariyka Bolubasz, 60, who described Anna as her 'adopted Auntie' said: "Every day she waits for that call to hear that they're all right." "And today just brings it all back, about all those who have lost their lives for the country" she added.
Yulia 35, who hails from Ukraine's southern Black Sea coast came to the UK last May as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme and is staying with a 'very lovely' host family in the Smithhills area of the town.
She said she made the 'incredibly tough' decision to flee after her dad, who said he was too old to travel, told her she needed to be somewhere safe.
And she says the emotion of the day began from the moment she woke up and switched on the TV this morning. "It started watching our president's speech," she said. "It's kind of hard, as you reflect on a year ago. It's very hard to explain. And I don't want anyone to understand it, as I don't want people to have to go through all of that.
"You just never think in the 21st century something like this can happen, it's just crazy. And now it's on the news and on social media 24/7 so you can see everything live. It's just so hard and to wrap your mind around it.
"But the service was very emotional" she added. "I'm not a religious person myself but I am very happy they found a Ukrainian priest. It means a lot. Of course, everyone was crying, but it's just emotions. It was nice to see a lot of people come to support."
Yaroslaw said: "Some people were in tears all the way through. It was just raw emotion. Emotion that has been building up for one whole year."
He said he was 'proud' of how the town's Ukrainian community had 'pulled together in such tragic times.
"One never thought 12 months ago it would come to this," he said. "We're looking at a fascist regime in Moscow that is trying to take over and decimate the Ukrainian population so for us to come together to remember those fallen heroes who have given their lives, is really important."
"There was a broad spread of people here" he added. "I'm pleased it was a good turnout but it just shows the depth of feeling people have on this matter."
"It was a very poignant day today," said Coun Thomas. "We have a large Ukrainian community here in Bolton who we try to support in any way we can.
"This to us may seem a small thing, but I've been speaking to some of those from Ukraine and they are overwhelmed we've had this today. It's an enormous thing to those people."
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