In September 1912, Luce took command of , a light cruiser. and was still in command at the start of the First World War. In November 1914, he took part in the Battle of Coronel in the South Atlantic. During the battle, "Glasgow" together with the cruisers and engaged the German East Asia Cruiser Squadron, including the new cruisers SMS "Scharnhorst" and SMS "Gneisenau". The German light cruisers had only guns, which had left "Glasgow" relatively unscathed, but these were now joined by the 8.2-inch guns of "Gneisenau". Luce determined that nothing was to be gained by staying and attempting to fight. It was noticed that each time he fired, the flash of his guns was used by the Germans to aim a new salvo, so he also ceased firing. One compartment of the ship was flooded, but she could still manage . He returned first to "Monmouth", which was now dark but still afloat. Nothing was to be done for the ship, which was sinking slowly but would attempt to beach on the Chilean coast. "Glasgow" turned south and departed. Having inflicted little damage on the enemy, "Glasgow" escaped with moderate damage considering that an estimated 600 shells were fired at her, although the other British cruisers were lost with all hands.