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This photo shows 24 Mennonite men posing with the tools for planting trees. This group was called into service on 1 Aug 1915 at Alt Berdyansk and then transferred to the Asov forestry camp where they served till the end of the First World War.

This photo shows a group of Mennonite men lined up with their planting tools and ready to march. They are mostly older men. The man in the 3rd row of marchers, standing by himself, is the commander Johann Dueck. Several men are reclined on the grass in the foreground including a young boy. Most likely taken at the Asov forestry camp (compare photo is Quiring`s Als Ihre Zeit..., p. 167.)

This photo shows nine men relaxing outside their tents -- some sitting at a table reading or playing a table game and others standing or sitting in various poses for the camera. Possibly in Crimea.

Gerhard J. Klassen served as a cook at the Berdyansk forestry camp. When World War I broke out, he again was called up and sent to serve. Years later when he was 54 years old and was conscripted into Hilter's army. He immigrated to Canada and lived in St. Catharines and attended several reunions of forestry men -- always bringing his guitar along.

Johann Klassen served as a head cook for the Berdyansk forestry camp for 25 years. His son Gerhard also served as a cook during his 4 years of service.

This photo shows the barrack used by the Mennonite men in forestry service Neu Berdyansk. (compare with photo in Quiring`s Als Ihre Zeit..., p. 171.)

Franz Toews served at the Neu Berdyansk forestry camp from 1901-1904. He also served in the medical service (Sanitaetsdienst) from 1914-1918. Later he lived in the Terek Mennonite settlement. In 1972 he was in an old's folks home in Yarrow, B.C.

This photo shows (l-r): Johann Heidebrecht (Nikolaidorf), assistant forester Carl Prokopenko (?), Jacob Boschmann (Petershagen), Johann Janzen lying down, Franz Toews on his knees (Alexanderkrone), Gerhard Warkentin (Ebenfeld) and Starzky Dietrich Friesen. On a rabbit hunt they would also shoot ducks and other birds, besides rabbits.

This photo shows a group of Mennonite forestry service men walking down a hill, most likely accompanying a casket, and walking in honor of one of the forestry administrators.

This photo shows two men in forestry service in Russia carrying a log on their shoulders, while several other men walk along side.

This photo shows a group of men in the forestry service creating an interesting pose, with one man on the shoulders of another, standing behind two crouching men -- creating a human "look-out tower" (?) -- with others in the action by standing guard or climbing a tree to get into the picture.

This photo shows a group of forestry men having lunch in the forest. One man is using an axe to chop his noodles -- there must have been some tough chewing to do. A horse and cart can be seen in the background, possibly showing how the meal was delivered by those who prepared it.

This photo shows in the foreground a large clearing with paths and grass, and in the background, a building in the trees. Over 30 people can be seen in the yard, several with bicycles, some on exercise equipment (balance beam, swing and rings), some holding dogs, and others looking on.

This photo shows a group of men posing in front of a building -- four men are reclining in the foreground, the rest are standing in two rows behind them. The style of jackets and caps on the men vary in colour and style. The group includes a Peter Neufeld, ? Hamm, and Jacob Heide.

This photo shows 11 men sitting at a table in a tent having tea and something to eat.