The real big one in the 80s the one the weatherman said was just a bit blustery, I was in Colchester garrison, and we had to help the civvies clear the fallen trees. I was a Rifleman and got told to report to our assault pioneers shed, got a 1 hour lesson on a husqavana chainsaw and was unleashed to chop up logs. Good fun but much quicker with det cord
I remember that blow. I was there then. Stationed at RAF Fairford and living in Cirencester.