She entered service during World War II, and had a short but eventful career, serving in Home waters and the Mediterranean Sea.

She suffered machinery defects whilst at sea and was detached from the Home Fleet units and returned to Scapa Flow.

She continued to participate in the operation, escorting the aircraft carrier Ark Royal and other units of the Mediterranean Fleet to Malta throughout the month.

On 9 November the task force engaged a convoy which consisted of seven ships escorted by the Italian destroyers Fulmine, Euro, Maestrale, Libeccio, Alfredo Oriani and Grecale, covered by the cruisers Trento and Trieste.

On 23 November Lance left Malta with the rest of Force K, after reports of a convoy on passage from Taranto to Benghazi.

On 24 November they sighted the German supply ships Maritza and Procidas with an escort of two Italian torpedo boats.

On 19 December she assisted in rescue operations after several ships of Force K ran into a newly laid Italian minefield.

The merchant vessel Clan Campbell was badly damaged and was detached to make her way to Tobruk, escorted by two destroyers.

On 9 April she suffered further bomb damage in an attack by Junkers Ju 87 aircraft from Sturzkampfgeschwader 3 and work was suspended.

Her wreck was subsequently salvaged and towed to Chatham Dockyard for a full survey to establish the extent of repair that would be required to return her to service.