On commissioning, "Pasley" joined the Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla, part of the Grand Fleet. On 18 August 1916, the German High Seas Fleet launched an attempt to draw out and destroy a section of the British Fleet. The British were aware of the German plan owing to radio intercepts, and the Grand Fleet set out to engage the German force, with the Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla sailing with the Battlecruiser Force. No engagement between the opposing fleets occurred, but during the return voyage, at about 16:45 on 19 August, the light cruiser was torpedoed twice by the German submarine . "Pasley", along with sister destroyers and , was ordered to assist the stricken cruiser. "Falmouth", escorted by the three destroyers, limped homeward under her own power, with the escort being reinforced by four more destroyers from the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla at about 23:00, with two tugs arriving from Immingham early on 20 August. The force had almost reached safety when the submarine hit "Falmouth" with two more torpedoes. "Falmouth" eventually sank about 5 miles off Flamborough Head.