Born at Watermaal-Bosvoorde (Brussels), 8 August 1915, Raymond Van de Poel was member of the 2° Rgt of the Aé Mil when the War started. Evacuated to France, he returned to Belgium after the French capitulation. He escaped to Great Britain on 10 September 1940 where he arrived on 1 August 1941. Enlisted into RAFVR, 16 July 1941 as  P/O. Flew with 122 Sqn (26 December 1941) before he joined 350 Sqn, where he arrived on October 6th, 1942. Promoted F/O, 1st January 1943. On July 11th, 1943, Grawels and Vandepoel, returning from a training session, collided during their approach in the circuit of Ouster, killing them both.