A New Zealand army major has received a rarely-given award for bravery from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.
Major Geoffrey Faraday has received the bravery award for protecting civilians from a mob in South Sudan. Photo: WPA Pool
Major Geoffrey Faraday, of the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps, is just the third person to receive the New Zealand Gallantry Star.
He was working in South Sudan as a military liaison officer for the United Nations in April 2014 when an armed mob approached a UN-protected refugee camp with 5000 people.
Major Faraday faced down the gang of about 250 when it breached the camp perimeter and began to attack the occupants with rifles and machetes.
The attack left 53 civilians dead.
Major Faraday was also recognised for fending off an attack on three barges carrying food and fuel for the same UN mission.