LET us consider two lives of men who grew up not far from each other in Salford.

First, there is Fusilier Simon Annis, who was just 22 when he died while trying to save his mortally-wounded section commander in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Married only a few short months, his widow Caroline said of him: “Simon was the perfect husband, son and brother”.

His commanding officer Lt Col Charlie Calder called the young soldier 'a larger than life character' and 'a shining example to the nation of what selfless commitment really means.'

When his coffin arrived at the Irlam church where he had so recently got married, people turned out to applaud a local hero.

Second, there is William Fisher, who started experimenting with drugs when he was just 13, graduating to heroin and cocaine by the age of 17.

There are no brave acts to mention in Fisher's regard, just a string of offences for dishonesty, and a couple of breaches even of the community orders he was supposed to serve for those crimes.

When Fisher saw a poppy appeal collection box next to a till at a shop in Irlam, his first inclination was to snatch it, fill his pockets with the coins inside and dump the box in a wheelie bin.

Direct insult

Fisher's act, which has earned him four months in jail, may not have been intended as a direct insult to the likes of Fusilier Annis, but he will now, one hopes, realise that that is just how society takes it.

To steal charity money is a low crime indeed. To steal charity money intended to help ex-servicemen and the families of the dead, at a time of national remembrance is the lowest of the low.

Crimes which carry such grave symbolism deserve exemplary punishment.

Another such flagrantly stupid and disrespectful act is reported this week.

Macclesfield student Philip Laing, aged 19, drank far too much and somehow thought it would be a good idea to urinate on a poppy wreath left on a war memorial in Sheffield city centre.

He may have forgotten what he did in his alcoholic haze, but the nation didn't forget; Laing was caught on camera in the act, and the image was published by a newspaper.

As they come to realise the full contempt in which society holds them, both Laing and Fisher may wish to ponder what great achievements they have done which may justify the disrespect they have shown those who have given their lives for this nation