Archibald Stephen Koe was born on 26 April 1865 at Bollshay Hall, Yorkshire. He was the son of Stephen Lancelot Koe and grandson of John Herbert Koe QC. Archibald was educated at Oxford Military College and went on to RMC Sandhurst. When he entered the army as a lieutenant he was initially commissioned into the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, but in March 1886 he transferred to the 1st Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
In 1889–90 he saw active service in the Chin-Lushai Expedition. He was promoted to captain in May 1894, and in 1895 was in the Relief Force for Chitral. He served as a staff officer in India from April 1899 until June 1902. He was promoted to major in September 1905 and gained command of the 1st Battalion KOSB on 10 November 1913.
When the First World War broke out the battalion was serving in India. They returned to England and were in the 87th Brigade, 29th Division, sent out with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given the task of attacking the Turks at Y Beach near Krithia on Cape Helles at the end of the Gallipoli Peninsula. They were accompanied by the Plymouth (Marine) Battalion, Royal Naval Division. The whole force was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Koe, but he was mortally wounded early in the fighting on 25 April and died on 26 April 1915, his 50th birthday. He was buried at sea.
In 1910 Major Archibald Koe was married to Fanny Gwendoline Friend from New South Wales, Australia. Their home was at East Woodhay House, Newbury, Berks.
1886 Lieutenant 30 Jan
1894 Captain 23 May
1899 Staff Officer 1st Class Apr
1905 Major 21 Sep
1913 Lieutenant-Colonel 10 Nov
