Completed in 1911, the ship spent her career in home waters and participated in the First World War as part of the Grand Fleet.

Ordered as part of the 1909–1910 Naval Programme, the Acorn-class ships were improved versions of the earlier Beagle class.

[3] The Acorns carried a maximum of 153 long tons (155 t) of fuel oil in wartime that gave them a range of 1,620 nautical miles (3,000 km; 1,860 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).

[7] On the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla, including Goldfinch, joined the newly established Grand Fleet.

[8][9] Goldfinch ran aground on Start Point, Sanday in the Orkney Islands in fog on the night of 18/19 February 1915.