Henry Frederick Perry was born in Southampton, Hampshire, England on during the summer months of 1889 as Harry Frederick Perry Ward.

He was the first son of Henry Perry (b. 1844) and Caroline Peckham, née Ward (b. 1856). His father, born 1 June 1844, was a native of Christchurch, Hampshire and worked as a coal porter. He had been married to Sarah Cotton (b. 1856 in Fawley, Hampshire) and had two children: Louisa (b. 1877) and Florence (b. 1879).

It seems that Henry and Sarah were later estranged and by the time of the 1891 census they were living apart, Sarah claiming to be a widow, living with her daughter Louisa at 13 Brewhouse Lane in Southampton and working as a domestic cook. She was still claiming widowhood by the time of the 1901 census when she was still living with her daughter, now Mrs Albert Edward Hampton.

Henry Perry, however, was by that stage living at 1 Upper Lyon Street, St Mary, Southampton and described himself as married. Present also at this address were two lodgers,  Mrs Caroline Peckham, a laundress, and her son George (b. 1881). Also listed was a two-year-old child, Henry, who was Henry and Caroline's infant son.

Caroline Peckham was born in Brockenhurst, Hampshire in 1856, the daughter of James and Sarah Ward. She had two children from her previous relationship with a man named George Peckham (b. 1851 in Brockenhurst), Kate (b. 1877) and George (b. 1880). What became of George Peckham isn't entirely certain but he may have died around the mid-1880s. Henry Perry and Caroline Peckham it seems were never officially married or, if they were, their marriage was not registered. They went on to have their second son, Edgar Lionel in 1892.

Henry first appears on the 1891 census as mentioned above. The 1901 census shows him living with his parents, brother Edgar and uncle Frederick Ward at 3 Ryde Terrace, St Mary, Southampton. The family continued to live at this address right through to the 1911 census. Both Henry and his brother were absent, likely at sea, but his father was now described as a "cripple" without employment.

When he signed-on to the Titanic, on 6 April 1912, Edgar gave his address 3 Ryde Terrace, (Southampton). He had transferred from the Olympic and as trimmer he received monthly wages of £5 10s. Also serving aboard as a trimmer was his brother Edgar Lionel Perry.

Henry Perry was lost in the sinking. His brother Edgar survived.