The collection consists of Dr. Powles handwritten notes on some of his medical lectures between 1940 and 1943 as well as three files of course notes related to neurosurgery and neurology, 1943; psychiatry 1942-1950; and sociology, anthropology 1948-1949. There are laboratory note books with drawings, some printed copies of selected exams and printed laboratory handouts. One file contains material relating to his attendance at the Officers' Training School in Brockville, Ontario in 1944 and other papers relating to his service career. There are two maps of military exercises in the North.

In addition there are 2 files of correspondence regarding academic appointments at the University of Cincinnati (1958-1966) and Queen's University (1966- ), and one scrapbook page containing individual sketches of C.P. Martin, Hans Selye, Dr. Dworkin, and David Thompson with clippings on the reverse about a wedding.

There are twelve photographs, one of which is a group photograph of the officers at the Training School.