During Battle of Heligoland Bight, Laurel led a flotilla that pursued German torpedo boats, engaging with G194 and G196, and was damaged in action with the cruiser Mainz.

[2] The vessel was one of the last pre-war destroyers constructed by J Samuel White for the British Admiralty, built alongside the similar Liberty.

[4] A total of 268 long tons (272 t) of oil was carried, giving a design range of 3,450 nautical miles (6,390 km; 3,970 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).

[12] On 27 August 1914, Laurel was leading the Fourth Division, which included sisterships Laertes, Liberty and Lysander, when the German torpedo boat G194 was sighted.

[14] In the confusion that followed, Laurel continued to lead the pursuit, attacking a number of German torpedo boats and straying far from the main British fleet.

This position meant that, when the light cruiser Mainz arrived to reinforce the German forces, the first salvo landed on Laurel.

[15] The destroyer was able to regain steam and returned to Harwich for repairs at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph), assisted by the protected cruiser Amethyst.

[18] At the Battle of Jutland, the destroyer, along with sisterships Landrail, Liberty and Lydiard, formed part of a flotilla which were to provide cover to the British battlecruisers.

[21] On 5 September 1916, Lark and Laurel were sent to the English Channel to escort Princess Victoria, which was carrying a load of gold bullion from Cherbourg to Portsmouth.

[26] After the Armistice of 11 November 1918 that ended the war, the Royal Navy returned to a peacetime level of strength and both the number of ships and personnel needed to be reduced to save money.