‘Keeps me alive’: World War II veteran loves to dance even close to 102-years-old

Meet the cheeky World War II veteran who has revealed his surprise hobby that is his secret to a long, happy life.

Ron Crutch has had a lifelong passion for ballroom dances and still manages to take to the dance floor regularly at nearly 102-years-old. Picture: John Gass

Whoever said 100 years old is too old for dancing clearly hasn’t met Ron Crutch who has been strapping on his dancing shoes for more than 80 years.

Approaching his 102nd birthday this coming Sunday, Mr Crutch says dancing is one of his secrets to a long, happy life.

“I’m grateful for dancing and the people I meet dancing,” he said. “Dancing keeps you alive mentally and physically.”

The Palm Beach Dance Club honorary life member has been dubbed “the dancing centenarian” and has been attending each Monday for more than 20 years.

The seniors dance club at Palm Beach is extremely popular with 60 regulars each week. Picture: John Gass

Mr Crutch was born in Merrylands, NSW in 1922 and while he cannot recall some parts of his childhood, he remembers the happy moments - including following three older sisters’ love for ballroom dancing.

“When I was younger, you either done dancing or drinking. I wasn’t really a smoker or a drinker and so that’s what I liked to do.”

Aged 19, in 1941, Mr Crutch enlisted in the Australian Army and served in the 5th Australian Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Australian Artillery.

“I was the youngest sergeant in the army,” he said.

“But then I got injured during jungle training from an explosion.”

Ron had just turned 19-years-old when he joined the Australian Army and is one of the last living Australian World War II veterans. Picture: Supplied

Mr Crutch spent 18 months in hospital with fears he would lose his eyesight.

Despite a long recovery, Mr Crutch believed the injury saved his life as many friends in his division never returned from Papua New Guinea.

“I was very lucky that I didn’t have to go (to war). I lost a lot of friends,” he said.

Known for his loveable and cheeky personality, Mr Crutch said the dance floor is the “only time he can get a woman in his arms”.

Catherine Summers is now Mr Crutch’s dance partner and they have been dear, lifelong friends. Picture: John Gass

But Mr Crutch had no greater dance partner than wife Joan Crutch who he married in 1947 and still gets emotional when speaking about their happy life together.

“She was a friend of mine’s wife’s friend. I loved her very much,” he said.

The pair raised their only child Peter Crutch - who worked for Gold Coast City Council - and moved to the Gold Coast from NSW several decades ago.

Mr Crutch’s wife sadly passed in 2006 and while he spends much of his time missing her, he said he had gotten the opportunity to witness his granddaughter and great-granddaughter grow up.

A yellow dance shoe commemorating Ron as an honorary life member of the dance club. Picture: Supplied

Lifelong friend Catherine Summers has taken up the role of his dance partner every Monday and Thursday who Mr Crutch said he was very grateful for.

“I’ve got some very good friends,” he said.

“When you dance, you meet a very lovely group of people. Dancing is a marvellous occupation because you meet a lot of nice people.”

The members of the dance club signed a special birthday card for Mr Crutch’s birthday this weekend. Picture: John Gass

He said dancing for the better part of his life had kept him alive for more than a century, as well as the juice of half a lemon each morning.

“I just love dancing, it's been a really marvellous part of my life.”

Originally published as ‘Keeps me alive’: World War II veteran loves to dance even close to 102-years-old