Cecil Manning was born on 23rd May, 1892. He was educated at the London County Council Elementary School. A member of the Labour Party, Manning served as a member of the Wandsworth Borough Council (1919-1922) and the London County Council (1922-32 and 1937-49).

Manning became the Labour Party candidate for North Camberwell and won the seat in March 1944 and remained in the House of Commons until he retired in 1950. After this he was a member of the Shepton Mallet Urban District Council (1954-68).