Manton was the Manticoran citizen and a petty officer of the Royal Manticoran Navy. Holding the rank of Chief Petty Officer, he served as a gravitic technician aboard the battlecruiser HMS Nike. He was overdue for promotion to Senior Chief, but Captain Honor Harrington was reluctant to promote him because either he or Chief Fanning would have to be transferred off the ship due to too much seniority. (HH3)