How British destroyers illuminated a night target

Would Royal Navy destroyers illuminate a night target with shell explosions or fire flares overhead?

Primarily with direct explosive fire intended to start visible fires and disrupt the target, though illumination ammunition could also be adapted to the task.

The Tribal spearhead was expected to hit the enemy with 4.7-inch fire rather than merely hang a flare above it. Explosions and resulting deck fires gave following utility destroyers visible reference points for their torpedo solutions. Direct fire also distracted bridge crews and exposed positions at the moment the torpedo flotilla approached. Illumination rounds might also be fired directly at a ship, but explosive ammunition is described as the ordinary method. Illumination, suppression, and torpedo targeting were parts of one coordinated night attack.