Henry Wood was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England in the third quarter of 1881.

He was the son of Henry Wood (b. 1849) and Emily Lloyd (b. 1853). His father, a glassblower, hailed from Dudley whilst his mother was a native of Lancashire. The couple had married in Lancashire in 1872 before settling in Aston, Birmingham and going on to have a further eight (known of) children besides Henry: Henrietta (b. 1873), Mary Jane (b. 1875), Alexander (b. 1878), Joseph (b. 1883), Lily (b. 1887), Mary (b. 1890), John (b. 1892) and William (b. 1894).

In the months prior to Henry' birth his family were listed on the 1881 census living at 28, Court 2, 90 Cromwell Street in Aston, Warwickshire. When Henry appears on the 1891 census he is living with his family at 135 Lupin Street, Aston. His mother died in 1900 and Henry himself would be absent from the 1901 census, likely already at sea. His family were by then listed as living at 14 Lupin Street. Henry's father also died shortly after this in 1902. His youngest sibling William is listed on the 1911 census living at 8 York Terrace, Bolton Road, Aston, under the care of his eldest brother Alexander and his family.

When he signed on to the Titanic, on 6 April 1912, Henry gave his local address as St Michael's House, (Southampton). His previous ship had been the Corinthian and as a trimmer he could expect monthly wages of £5, 10s.

Henry Wood died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.