Henry was born in July 1893 in Newcastle upon Tyne. He was the only son of Professor Henry Stroud, who taught Physics at Armstrong College from 1887 to 1926, and Eva Mary Antoinette Stroud. He was educated at the Newcastle Royal Grammar School, then Armstrong College (1910-1913), where he took a BSc. degree in Engineering in 1913, and at King’s College, Cambridge, where he graduated with a BA.
He was a Student of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and elected a Graduate of the North East Coast Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in 1910.
While at Armstrong College, Henry spent two years in the University's University Officers' Training Corps, and afterwards he joined the Territorial Force, being gazetted Second Lieutenant in the Northumbrian Royal Engineers in June 1912, and promoted Lieutenant two years later.
At the outbreak of war he immediately volunteered for foreign service, proceeding to France in January 1915 with the Northumbrian Royal Engineers, 1st Field Company. He was severely wounded in both legs on 8th February 1915, and remained in hospital in Versailles until 30th April 1915.
When Henry returned to England, he returned to Armstrong College, which had then become the 1st Northern General Hospital, and spent many months recovering there. Owing to the nature of his wounds it was impossible that he should resume active field work, and he was accordingly kept in England. He went to Otley, being successively appointed Instructor in Field Engineering and in Bombing.
In June 1916, Henry obtained his Captaincy, but shortly afterwards, wishing again to take a more active part in the War, he joined the Royal Flying Corps. He soon qualified for his wings, was gazetted pilot in September 1916, and speedily became an expert flier, both in daylight and by night.
In the early autumn of 1917 he joined the defence of London and was stationed at Rochford Aerodrome with 61st Squadron. Henry was engaged in repelling practically every German air raid on London until the penultimate raid.
He was killed flying around midnight on 7th March 1918 in Essex aged 24; the only night the Germans raided when there was no moon. He took off in an Se5a B679 at 23:30 hours to intercept a German raider heading for London. A minute earlier Alexander Bruce Kynoch of 37 Squadron based at Stow Maries had taken off in a BE12 C3208 to intercept the same raider. In the darkness the two aircraft collided and fell in Dollymans Farm, Essex.
His memorial service in St. Thomas’ Church, Newcastle upon Tyne, was well attended, not only by his private friends, but by representatives of Armstrong College, the College of Medicine, the University's University Officers' Training Corps, and of the Northumbrian Royal Engineers.