Stretton was born in Leicester in 1850, the son of Julia Stanbury (née Osborn) and Clement Stretton (1827–1891), a solicitor and later mayor of Leicester. It is uncertain where he was educated, as whilst several source states that he attended Rugby School, his name is not listed in the printed register of alumini. However, it seems that in 1866 he was articled to a Civil Engineering firm for £300.
