Mr McQueen was educated at the South Shields High School from 1925 to 1930, when he left to go to University College, Durham, to read Physics (with Mathematics and Chemistry as subsidiary subjects).

He completed his BSc (Hons) in 1933, and stayed on a year to gain his Durham University Diploma.

He joined the staff of Westoe Secondary School in September, 1934, and moved to the South Shields High School for Boys on the move to Harton, where he taught Physical Education.

In September, 1939, he left to become a Captain in the Royal Artillery for his War Service.

In 1946, he left teaching to be Organiser for Grammar Schools with Lancashire County Council.